What is safeguarding
Safeguarding is the responsibility of all member organizations of the Caritas Ukraine network to ensure that their staff, programs, and activities respect the dignity and rights of all people, do no harm, and do not expose either children or adults to the risk of abuse.
The main goal of safeguarding is to prevent all possible violations and protect from potential harm.
Caritas Ukraine strives to safeguard people in need (beneficiaries), staff, and volunteers of our network from:
- unethical, disrespectful, unacceptable behavior;
- ill-treatment, all forms of abuse, violence, harassment, discrimination, and bullying (including mobbing);
- exploitation in all its possible manifestations, including sexual exploitation and abuse, and human trafficking;
- misuse of funds, corruption, fraud, and conflicts of interest.
The Safeguarding System includes a comprehensive set of documents: link to policies and procedures
Safeguarding Policies and Procedures apply to everything we do:
- all projects and programs (short-term and long-term, humanitarian response, stabilization, development);
- all areas of work (fundraising and communication, finance and accounting, data collection and management, project/program management, etc.).
Safeguarding requirements apply to:
Personnel
- staff of Caritas Ukraine network member organizations;
- board members;
- volunteers;
- interns and students undergoing practical training.
Affiliated persons:
- partner organizations and their staff involved in joint programs and projects;
- project donors (individuals and legal entities that financially or otherwise support the network’s activities);
- consultants (individual specialists and consulting companies);
- contractors (organizations and individuals fulfilling contractual obligations);
- other persons involved in performing specific tasks or activities within projects.
People in need (beneficiaries)
- individuals/groups of individuals who receive charitable assistance within the framework of projects, programs, or activities of the Caritas Ukraine network.
Safeguarding Rules apply anywhere and anytime, during working and non-working hours (including vacations), in the workplace and outside it, on the territory of Ukraine, as well as abroad.
