All club volunteers should be familiar with the key tenets of child protection. Ensure that all volunteers read and sign the Child Protection Policy.
STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS SHOULD FOLLOW THESE GUIDELINES:
Do not physically assault, hit, or discipline a child
Do not use violence against a child
Do not take images of children (photos, videos, etc.) that are detrimental, sexually explicit, or undermining to a child’s dignity in any way
Do not develop any type of relationship that will lead to harming a child
Do not use language or make statements that are seductive or abusive in any way
Do not develop relationships with individuals or organizations that would induce any form of child abuse/trafficking
Do not invite a child to a place of residence unsupervised or stay overnight with any child unsupervised
Do not abuse your own children or employ child laborers in your own home
AGENCIES AND ORGANIZATIONS SHOULD FOLLOW THESE GUIDELINES:
Maintain a secure environment
Display basic child protection rules and regulations in child-friendly language
Increase the participation of children in the design and implementation of programs affecting their rights and well-being to ensure that assistance responds to their needs and that they are fully aware of the services and resources available to them
Form peer protection group amongst the children
Organize child awareness programs and prevention strategies to provide knowledge and inform children about abuse
Increase access to and confidentiality of complaint mechanisms so that children are more likely to seek help when they feel at risk or have been abused
Encourage children to use complaint mechanisms to ‘break the silence’ in cases of abuse
Empower children by building confidence and like skills to cope with at-risk situations
Provide children with information on where to go for help and advice in relation to abuse
Foster an environment of respect, trust and accountability so that children feel comfortable talking about their problems and respect children’s boundaries
Be willing to challenge abusive or exploitative behavior at an early stage
Be able to recognize and avoid situations that may create risk for a child
Increase the number of female staff members, particularly in activities that affect girls
Avoid unhealthy attachments with children
Act responsibly and minimize risks when in contact with children who display sexualized or inappropriate behavior
Visiting guidelines should be displayed and followed strictly
Make staff and volunteers aware of sanctions for failing to respect the policy