GRLO’s Child Protection Policy
Our child protection policy:
This policy applies to all staff, including senior managers and the board of trustees, paid staff,
volunteers and sessional workers, agency staff, students or anyone working on behalf of Global
Roots for Life organization (GRLO).
The purpose of this policy:
To protect children and young people who receive GRLO’s services. This includes the children
of adults who use our services;
To provide staff and volunteers with the overarching principles that guide our approach to child
protection;
GRLO believes that a child or young person should never experience abuse of any
kind. We have a responsibility to promote the welfare of all children and young people and to
keep them safe. We are committed to practice in a way that protects them.
We recognize that:
the welfare of the child is paramount, as enshrined in the Children Act 1989
all children, regardless of age, disability, gender, racial heritage, religious belief, sexual
orientation or identity, have a right to equal protection from all types of harm or abuse
some children are additionally vulnerable because of the impact of previous experiences, their
level of dependency, communication needs or other issues
working in partnership with children, young people, their parents, careers and other agencies is
essential in promoting young people’s welfare.
We will seek to keep children and young people safe by:
valuing them, listening to and respecting them
adopting child protection practices through procedures and a code of conduct for staff and
volunteers
developing and implementing an effective e-safety policy and related procedures
providing effective management for staff and volunteers through supervision, support and
training
recruiting staff and volunteers safely, ensuring all necessary checks are made
sharing information about child protection and good practice with children, parents, staff and
volunteers
sharing concerns with agencies who need to know, and involving parents and children
appropriately.
Children are defined as:
A child is any individual under the age of 18, irrespective of local country definitions of when a child
reaches adulthood.
Vulnerable adults are defined as:
those aged over 18 years and who identify themselves as unable to take care of themselves/
Protect themselves from harm or exploitation
Who, due to their gender, mental or physical health, disability, ethnicity, religious identity,
sexual orientation, economic or social status, or as a result of disasters and conflicts, are
deemed to be at risk.
GRLO places human dignity at the center of its relief and development work. At the heart of
GRLO’s efforts to impact poverty and social justice is its engagement with marginalized
Communities, and vulnerable adults and children. Vulnerable adults and children are particularly at
risk of sexual exploitation and abuse. This policy defines GRLO’s commitment to the protection
from sexual exploitation and abuse (PSEA) of vulnerable adults, involving GRLO Employees and
Related Personnel. In recognition of the special vulnerability of children, this policy also affirms
GRLO’s commitment to the welfare and protection from sexual exploitation and all forms of abuse
of children, involving GRLO Employees and Related Personnel.
GRLO has a zero tolerance toward sexual exploitation and abuse and child abuse. GRLO initiates
rigorous investigation of complaints that indicate a possible violation of this policy and takes
appropriate disciplinary action, as warranted.
While acknowledging that local laws and customs may differ from one country to another, the Code
of Conduct is based on international legal standards.
We, the staff members of GRLO, are personally and collectively responsible for maintaining these
standards. Managers have a particular responsibility to uphold these standards, to set a good
example, and to create a working environment that supports and empowers staff.
It is recognized that GRLO’s work often puts its staff in positions of power in relation to its
children that we work with. Staff have an obligation not to abuse this power.
Child marriage:
International conventions recognize children as being under the age of 18. Increasingly, there are
civil society calls for the age of marriage to be increased to this minimum of 18 so anyone seeking to
join the organization must agree to not engage in sexual relations, inside or outside of marriage, with
any child – that is, anyone below the age of 18.
GRLO also included this policy in our code of conduct and our employee manual. The policy will
NOT be backdated, so any current member of staff that is married to someone who is currently
under the age of 18, or who was under this age when they were married, is not required to leave the
organization or face any other disciplinary actions. However, all current staff of GRLO are required
to sign our policy which prevents any marriage to a person under the age of 18 from the date of the
policy implementation. Any member of staff found to be marrying a child will be dismissed
immediately.
Any new applicant for a position with GRLO will have this policy explained to them by the time of
their interview. At this point, a person may withdraw from their application. An applicant who is
married to a person currently under the age of 18 is not eligible for employment with GRLO.
In line with this policy, GRLO will hold meetings with GRLO staff to promote the rights of
children, including children of staff members GRLO will strongly encourage staff to not accept
marriage of their own children until at least the age of 18, for both boys and girls.
Core Principles
In order to protect the most vulnerable populations, particularly vulnerable adults and children, and
to ensure the integrity of GRLO activities, the following six Core Principles must be adhered to:
Sexual exploitation and abuse and child abuse by GRLO Employees and Related Personnel
Constitute acts of gross misconduct and are therefore grounds for termination of employment.
Sexual activity with children (persons under the age of 18) is prohibited regardless of the age of
the majority or age of consent locally. Mistaken belief in the age of the child is not a defense.
Exchange of money, employment, goods, or services for sex, including sexual favors or other
forms of humiliating, degrading or exploitative behavior by GRLO Employees and Related
Personnel is prohibited. This includes the exchange of assistance that is due to program
participants.
Sexual relationships between GRLO Employees/Related Personnel and program participants
are strongly discouraged since they are based on inherently unequal power dynamics. Such
relationships undermine the credibility and integrity of GRLO’s relief and development work.
Where a GRLO Employee or Related Personnel develops concerns or suspicions regarding
sexual abuse or exploitation and child abuse by a fellow worker, whether in GRLO or not, he or
she must immediately report such concerns via the established agency reporting mechanisms.
GRLO Employees and Related Personnel are obliged to create and maintain an environment
that prevents sexual exploitation and abuse and child abuse and promotes the implementation
of this Policy. GRLO Managers at all levels have particular responsibilities
Staff commitment:
As a staff member of GRLO, I commit myself to:
1. Treat all children fairly, and with respect and dignity, regardless of race, color, sex, language,
religion, political or other opinion, national, ethnic or social origin, property, disability, birth or
other status.
I will always seek to care for and protect the rights of children, and act in a manner that ensures
that their best interests shall be the paramount consideration.
2. Uphold the integrity of GRLO, by ensuring that my personal and professional conduct is, and is
seen to be, of the highest standard.
I will demonstrate integrity, truthfulness, dedication and honesty in my actions. I will be patient,
respectful and courteous to all persons with whom I deal in any capacity, including children.
I recognize that my personal conduct will reflect on GRLO’s reputation and may impact on
community perceptions, therefore I will refrain from inappropriate behavior that may be
compromising or detrimental to GRLO.
3. Safeguard and make responsible use of the information and resources to which I have access by
reason of my employment with GRLO.
I will exercise due care in all matters of official business, and not divulge any confidential
information about a child and other work-related matters in accordance with the staff
regulations and rules and current guidelines.
I will protect, manage and utilize GRLO human, financial and material resources appropriately.
I will never use GRLO resources to exploit or harass children or access child pornography.
When photographing or filming a child for work-related purposes, I must:
Before photographing or filming a child, assess and endeavor to comply with local traditions
or restrictions for reproducing personal images
Before photographing or filming a child, obtain consent from the child or parent or guardian
of the child. As part of this, I must explain how the photograph or film will be used.
Ensure photographs, films, videos and DVDS present children in a dignified and respectful
manner and not in a vulnerable or submissive manner. Children should be adequately
clothed and not in poses that could be seen as sexually suggestive.
Ensure images are honest representations of the context and the facts.
Ensure file labels do not reveal identifying information about a child.
4. Prevent, oppose and combat all exploitation and abuse of the child.
I undertake not to abuse the power and influence that I have by virtue of my position over
the life and well-being of a child.
I will report any child abuse by a GRLO staff member, consultant, volunteer, intern or
partner.
I will not use language or behavior towards children that is inappropriate, harassing, abusive,
sexually provocative, demeaning or culturally inappropriate.
I will never request any service or favor from a child in return for protection or assistance. I
will never engage in any exploitative relationships – sexual, emotional, financial or
employment-related – with a child.
I will refrain from hiring children for domestic or other labor, which is inappropriate given
their age, or developmental stage, which interferes with their time available for education and
recreational activities, or which places them at significant risk of injury. I will report in
writing on the nature and conditions of this employment to my supervisor.
Wherever possible, I will ensure that another adult is present when working in the proximity
of children.
I will not invite unaccompanied children into my home, unless they are at immediate risk of
injury or in physical danger
I will not sleep close to unsupervised children unless absolutely necessary, in which case I
must obtain my supervisor’s permission, and ensure that another adult is present if possible.
I will refrain from physical punishment or discipline of children (excluding my own
children).
5. Refrain from any involvement in criminal or unethical activities, activities that contravene
human rights, or activities that compromise the image and interests of GRLO.
I will neither support nor take part in any form of illegal, exploitative or abusive activities,
including, for example, child labor, child pornography and trafficking of human beings and
commodities.
I will not engage children under the age of 18 in any form of sexual activity or acts, including
paying for sexual services or acts. This is regardless of the local age of consent, i.e., the local
or national laws of the country in which I work. Ignorance or mistaken belief of the child’s
age is not a defense. Failure to report such a relationship may lead to disciplinary action
pursuant to GRLO policies and procedures
