Polylogos Association is fully dedicated to safeguarding the welfare of all children and young people under its care. For the purposes of this policy and its associated procedures, a child is defined as any individual under the age of 18. Polylogos takes full responsibility for promoting safe practices and protecting children from harm, abuse, and exploitation. It recognizes its duty to respond appropriately to any allegations, reports, or suspicions of abuse.
All Polylogos’ staff, volunteers, teachers, and youth workers will collaborate to ensure a healthy working environment that values and protects diversity, in line with Article 21 of the European Convention on Human Rights, which prohibits “any discrimination based on grounds such as sex, race, colour, ethnic or social origin, genetic features, language, religion or belief, political or other opinion, membership of a national minority, property, birth, disability, age, or sexual orientation.”
This document outlines Polylogos’ commitment to safeguarding children, in accordance with the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and applicable national laws.
Purpose
The purpose of this policy is
- to prevent harm, abuse and exploitation of children and young people who receive services from Polylogos.
- to protect children and young people who receive services from Polylogos, including children of adults who use our services;
- to provide staff and volunteers with the overarching principles that guide our approach to child protection, and to ensure that all staff and volunteers abide by these standards.
Polylogos believes that a child or young person must never experience abuse of any kind. We understand and assume the responsibility to promote the welfare of all children and young people, and to keep them safe. We are committed to working in a way that protects them as they grow, mature and are challenged in a healthy and safe environment.
Commitment
In signing this policy, Polylogos is committed to not engage in, actively prevent and report any potential risk or harm towards a child. This includes, but is not limited to:
- Child abuse: occurs when a child is harmed by an adult or another child, physically, sexually, or emotionally, intentionally or through negligence.
- Physical abuse: occurs when an individual deliberately harms a child by causing physical harm. Physical abuse can take many forms, including hitting, hitting, kicking, slapping, and any other action that causes injury. Furthermore, physical abuse also occurs when the child is given drugs that he or she does not need by his or her caregivers, thus giving rise to/inducing illnesses.
- Sexual abuse: occurs when a child is forced, coerced, manipulated, or persuaded to engage in sexual activity by an adult or another child. Sexual abuse may include, but is not limited to, all forms of sexual violence, groping or molestation, incest, forced early marriage and voyeurism. Sexual abuse can happen both in person and online; when it occurs in person it does not necessarily involve physical contact, for example a child may be encouraged to behave in a sexually provocative manner, or may be exposed to pornographic material. The child may not be aware that he or she is being sexually abused.
- Psychological/emotional abuse: this type of abuse is characterised by various types of behaviour, including, but not limited to, humiliation, criticism, accusations, blaming, intimidation, threats, shouting, type abuse verbal, rejection and isolation. Psychological abuse is usually repeated in time and can have a strong impact on the child’s mental development. To some extent, all forms of abuse, exploitation and abandonment of children involve psychological abuse.
- Sexual exploitation and exploitation: the exploitation of children consists of using children for personal or financial advantage, sometimes in exchange for “something” that the child, or another person, needs or desires, for example money, accommodation, gifts, drugs. Unequal power dynamics are a component of exploitation in all cases. Child exploitation involves various forms of child abuse and can also occur online.
Scope
All Polylogos representatives must read and comply with the measures outlined in this document, including:
- Staff (full-time and part-time employees and contractors)
- Mentors, special advisors, volunteers and interns
- Agencies, organisations or individuals employed to deliver services on our behalf
Objectives
- to provide activities for children and young people that help them develop from childhood into adulthood, and to support them in this process.
- to enable the children to express themselves in a free and healthy way.
- to assist the children in integrating into the larger community.
- to help children and young people appreciate the diversity of their cultures.
Risks
Children may face various risks and vulnerabilities in the context of our activities, including but not limited to:
- Exposure to inappropriate content or behaviour.
- Contact with individuals who may pose a risk of harm.
- Potential exploitation or grooming by adults or peers.
- Physical or emotional harm due to inadequate supervision or care.
We recognise that
- The welfare of the child is paramount
- All children, regardless of age, culture, disability, gender, language, racial origin, religious beliefs and/or sexual identity have the right to equality and to protection from abuse
- All suspicions and allegations of abuse should be taken seriously and responded to swiftly and appropriately
- All members and employees of the organisation should be clear on how to respond appropriately to such suspicions and allegations.
Screening and Hiring Practices
Polylogos established and sustains proper hiring and volunteer- and internship selection practices, including completed applications and reference checks. For collaborators, volunteers, interns and staff involved in projects that directly involve children, Polylogos also conducts criminal background checks, social security checks and documented personnel files, with specific reference to the Child Protection Policy.
All prospective staff members, volunteers and interns are requested to provide information about past work history, volunteer experience, and education.
All application forms must include a statement explaining that Polylogos has a zero tolerance for any emotional, verbal, physical or sexual abuse, and any other kinds of inappropriate behaviour by staff members.
Principles of Conduct when coming in contact or working with children
- Prior to performing any work duties, staff members, volunteers and interns must sign and date a copy of the Child Protection Policy.
- The Child Protection Policy must be maintained in the personnel file and is annexed to the employment contracts of staff, volunteers and interns involved in the project.
- All external collaborators and associates who work or may come in contact with children through the Polylogos’ activities, are provided with a copy of the Child Protection Policy and must sign it prior to any involvement.
- The collection and handling of data involving children and young people will fully comply with EU regulations, particularly the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) (EU) 2016/679. Informed consent will be obtained prior to the collection of any personal data. As required by relevant national legislation, consent will also be obtained from parents or legal guardians of minors prior to the collection and/or use of their personal data. Should a participant choose not to consent to the use of their personal data, steps will be taken to ensure their identifiable information (such as facial features in photos or videos) is obscured. Photos and videos may be captured as part of event documentation and for promotional purposes. Personal data will only be collected and processed for the specific purposes outlined and will not be shared with third parties without explicit consent. All staff involved in data collection are required to ensure full compliance with GDPR guidelines.
- Data, including images of children and young people, will only be collected when strictly necessary and directly related to the objectives of project, event or activity. The use of this data is limited to the specific purposes for which it was originally collected. Prior to any collection or sharing of data, informed consent is always obtained from the individual concerned. All images and data collected are securely stored on Polylogos’ GDPR-compliant shared drive, which is accessible only to Polylogos staff, volunteers and interns who have signed the Child Protection Policy and possess the necessary credentials.
- All publications must comply with the Child Protection Policy, before being publicised or shared.
- The rules and expectations stated in this Child Protection Policy must be shared with each new staff member, volunteer and intern, and are regularly reinforced with existing staff, volunteers and interns. This is included in the induction training, as well as through specific children’s rights and child protection training.
- It is the responsibility of Polylogos’ staff to be vigilant, have knowledge and awareness of the indicators of neglect, potential or actual abuse and to report any concerns, suspicions or allegations of suspected abuse immediately and ensure that the concern is taken seriously and reported. Polylogos will have an appointed Child Protection Advisor: this function is currently held by: Camilla Bocaniala (camilla@polylogos.eu). All information regarding reported concerns will be handled in strict confidence. Only authorised personnel, such as the Child Protection Advisor and relevant authorities, should have access to this information.
- Prior to any event or activity involving children or young people, a risk assessment will be conducted to identify potential safeguarding risks. Appropriate mitigating actions should be taken to minimise harm.
- Any member of staff, volunteer, intern, external collaborator or associate found in breach of the Child Protection Policy, will be immediately suspended from their position, pending investigation, internal or by statutory authorities depending on the specific case. Disciplinary action will be undertaken, including and up to termination of employment/cessation of the professional engagement with Polylogos. In case of an alleged or certain crime, the staff will be immediately removed from their position and their contract terminated.
Review
This Policy and these Procedures will be regularly reviewed:
- In accordance with changes in legislation and guidance on the protection of children.
- Following any issues or concerns raised about the protection of children within Polylogos.
- In all other circumstances, at least every three years.
This policy was adopted by Polylogos and signed on behalf of the team.