Draft policy 02

Safeguarding Policy

A proposed framework to protect the dignity, safety, privacy and rights of people who may interact with future humanitarian activities.

Status: DraftVersion: 1.0Applies to proposed programs and partners

Commitment

Humanitarian assistance must not create new harm.

The foundation should plan and deliver assistance in ways that reduce foreseeable risks of abuse, exploitation, harassment, humiliation, retaliation, privacy breaches and unsafe exposure.

Dignity principle: a person’s story, image or hardship should never be treated as a condition of receiving assistance.

Safeguarding standards

Expected conduct and controls.

Respect and non-discriminationTreat people fairly and respectfully without degrading language, coercion, favouritism or discrimination unrelated to legitimate needs-based criteria.

ChildrenInteractions involving children should use heightened care, appropriate supervision and consent processes, and should avoid unnecessary collection or publication of identifying information.

Sexual exploitation and abuseSexual exploitation, abuse, harassment or exchange of assistance for sexual activity, personal benefit or favours is prohibited.

ConsentConsent for photographs, interviews or stories should be meaningful and voluntary. Refusal should not affect eligibility for assistance.

PrivacyCollect only information reasonably needed for the project. Sensitive personal information should be restricted, protected and not published without a legitimate and appropriate basis.

Images and storiesPublic communications should preserve dignity, avoid sensationalism and minimise details that could expose a person or family to risk.

Partners and representativesFuture staff, volunteers, contractors and local partners should receive clear conduct expectations and be subject to proportionate screening and oversight.

RetaliationPeople raising safeguarding concerns in good faith should not face retaliation or loss of assistance because they spoke up.

Reporting concerns

Concerns need a safe route to be heard.

Future projects should provide a clear method for beneficiaries, community members, volunteers and partners to report safeguarding concerns. Reports should be handled discreetly, documented appropriately and escalated according to seriousness.

Immediate safety should take priority over public relations or reputational concerns.

Information handling

Evidence without unnecessary exposure.

Project verification should favour aggregated counts, financial records, delivery records and privacy-preserving evidence. Exact addresses, identity documents, health information and other sensitive details should not be published merely to demonstrate transparency.

Where a case may require specialist or legal intervention, the foundation should not attempt to substitute its own informal process for qualified safeguarding, medical, legal or law-enforcement support.