RESOPA's Child Protection Policy
- April 2023 -

Language: English

Last update: April 2023

Applicable to: All RESOPA’s staff, volunteers, visitors, and associates.

Contact: Gilles Evrard ESSUMAN, General Manager — gilles@resopa.fr

 

Introduction

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As a non-governmental organisation working with children and youth, we must do all we can to make sure that the safety and protection of children who engage with us are protected and promoted at all times. The following Child Protection Policy has been produced to ensure that no child is harmed or placed at risk of harm during their involvement with RESOPA’s activities and projects. This document has been approved by RESOPA’s management and outlines the legal framework, the principles, actions, and code of conduct RESOPA works with in order to prevent risks to children’s safety. RESOPA would like to acknowledge the guidance and materials offered by Save the Children and The Network for Children’s Rights in developing this Child Protection Policy.

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Glossary of Key Terms

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Child: According to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, a child is any person below the age of 18 years.

Abuse: The mistreatment of a child, which may be physical, emotional, sexual, or through neglect, causing harm or the risk of harm.

Staff: Any individual employed by or working on behalf of RESOPA, including full-time, part-time, temporary, and contract employees, as well as volunteers and interns.

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Legal framework

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The following Child Protection Policy has been developed on the basis of law, policy, and guidance that seek to protect children, namely:

• The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and its Optional Protocols.

• Law No. 2016-297 of March 14, 2016, Regarding the Protection of the Child], LEGIFRANCE

 

Application RESOPA’s Child Protection Policy applies to:

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• All members of staff and volunteers;

• All those acting on behalf of RESOPA, such as consultants or trainers;

• Staff members and representatives from partner organisations involved in the delivery of RESOPA’s programmes;

• All adults involved in any activities organised by RESOPA for children, including journalists, donors, and policy-makers.

 

Our principles

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• All child abuse involves the abuse of children’s rights.

• All children have equal rights to protection from abuse and exploitation.

• The situation of all children must be improved through the promotion of their rights as set out in the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. This includes the right to freedom from abuse and exploitation.

• Child abuse is never acceptable.

• We have a commitment to protecting children with/for whom we work.

• When we work through partners, they have a responsibility to meet minimum standards of protection for children in their programmes.

 

Our actions

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We will meet our commitment to protect children from abuse through the following means:

1. Awareness: we will ensure that all staff and others are aware of the problem of child abuse and the risks to children. Staff will receive an entry training on the Child Protection Policy, and additional training will be provided when the policy is updated or revised, as well as on other relevant child protection topics.

2. Prevention: we will ensure, through awareness and good practice, that staff and others minimize the risks to children. All staff and volunteers will have access to a copy of the child protection policy. Safe recruitment procedures will be followed, including criminal background checks for employees, volunteers, and trainees. The induction will include a briefing on child protection issues.

3. Reporting: we will ensure that staff and others are clear on what steps to take when concerns arise regarding the safety of children. All staff, volunteers, and associates of RESOPA should be aware of the appropriate procedures to report a child safeguarding concern, guided by the safety of the child as the paramount consideration. Reporting and responding to child safeguarding concerns should be taken very seriously, with a focus on ensuring the confidentiality of sensitive information. The Project Manager of any project of event organized by RESOPA which includes the participation of children will be the person in charge of reporting procedures when something bad happens to a child inside or outside the organization.

4. Responding: we will ensure that action is taken to support and protect children where concerns arise regarding possible abuse.

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In order that the above standards of reporting and responding are met, members of RESOPA will also ensure that they:

• take seriously any concerns raised

• take positive steps to ensure the protection of children who are the subject of any concerns

• support children, staff, or other adults who raise concerns or who are the subject of concerns

• act appropriately and effectively in instigating or co-operating with any subsequent process of investigation

• are guided through the child protection process by the principle of best interests of the child

• listen to and take seriously the views and wishes of children

• work in partnership with parents/careers and/or other professionals to ensure the protection of children

 

Data Protection and Informed Consent

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RESOPA will adhere to data protection procedures, ensuring that any personal information about children is stored securely and confidentially. Informed consent will be obtained from children and their guardians before collecting, using, or sharing any personal information or images.

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Procedures for External Staff

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When external staff, such as photographers or filmmakers, are invited by the organization to conduct activities with children, they will be briefed on RESOPA's Child Protection Policy and are required to adhere to the policy. Background checks may also be conducted as appropriate.

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Policy Review and Update

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RESOPA's Child Protection Policy will be reviewed and updated every three years or sooner if there are significant changes in the organization's operations or legal requirements.

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Code of conduct

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Staff and others must never:

• hit or otherwise physically assault or physically abuse children
  develop physical/sexual relationships with children

• develop relationships with children which could in any way be deemed exploitative or abusive

• act in ways that may be abusive or may place a child at risk of abuse.

• use language, make suggestions or offer advice which is inappropriate, offensive or abusive

• behave physically in a manner which is inappropriate or sexually provocative

• have a child/children with whom they are working to stay overnight at their home unsupervised

• sleep in the same room or bed as a child with whom they are working

• do things for children of a personal nature that they can do for themselves

• condone, or participate in, behaviour of children which is illegal, unsafe or abusive

• act in ways intended to shame, humiliate, belittle or degrade children, or otherwise perpetrate any form of emotional abuse

• discriminate against, show differential treatment, or favour particular children to the exclusion of others.

• This is not an exhaustive or exclusive list. The principle is that staff should avoid actions or behaviour which may constitute poor practice or potentially abusive behaviour.

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This is not an exhaustive or exclusive list. The principle is that staff should avoid actions or behavior which may constitute poor practice or potentially abusive behavior.

 

Gilles Evrard ESSUMAN

General Manager

April 5, 2023

Signed version is available here