CHILD PROTECTION POLICY

INTRODUCTION
This policy affirms Adara’s fundamental belief that children have the right to be protected and free
from abuse and exploitation. Adara endorses the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (1989),
and specifically Article 19 which states that:

Parties shall take all appropriate legislative, administrative, social and educational measures to
protect the child from all forms of physical or mental violence, injury or abuse, neglect or negligent
treatment, maltreatment or exploitation, including sexual abuse, while in the care of parent(s), legal
guardian(s) or any other person who has the care of the child.

This policy seeks to address the important issue of child protection at all levels affected by the work of
Adara, and will be revised regularly to ensure it remains relevant and complies with current legislation.
Adara believes that the protection of children from abuse and exploitation is the responsibility of all
those who participate in the work space of Adara, including staff, directors, volunteers, contractors
and visitors.

In keeping with the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, Adara considers a child to be a person
under the age of 18 years.

PURPOSE OF POLICY
This policy provides a practical guide to prevent child abuse and exploitation in Adara’s programs and
it demonstrates Adara’s commitment to protect children from harm and abuse. It aims to educate
Adara staff, directors, volunteers, contractors and visitors (Adara representatives) about child abuse
and exploitation and promote a child safe and a child friendly culture where everyone is committed to
keeping children safe from harm.

Additionally, the policy provides guidance on how to respond to concerns and allegations of child
abuse or exploitation.

Adara must adhere to local and international child protection criminal laws, which prohibit the abuse
and exploitation of children. These include local laws where Adara’s programs exist, and international
laws and Conventions in relation to all forms of child abuse and child exploitation, including: child sex
tourism, child sex trafficking, child labour and child pornography.

Adherence to this policy is a mandatory requirement for all Adara representatives .

CHILD PROTECTION POLICY

IMPORTANT CONCEPTS
To understand the scope of this policy, it is important to understand a number of concepts and
definitions which are used in the policy.

1
According to Childwise , abuse of a child can occur in several different ways, including:

1
Childwise (2001). Choose With Care, Ecpat, Victoria.
 Physical abuse: Occurring when a person purposefully injures or threatens to injure a child or
young person and can take the form of slapping, punching, shaking, kicking, burning, shoving or
grabbing

 Emotional abuse: A chronic attack on a child or young person’s self-esteem, taking the form of
name calling, threatening, ridiculing, intimidating or isolating a child or young person

 Neglect: The failure to provide the child with the basic necessities of life, such as food, clothing,
shelter, space, and supervision, to the extent that the child’s health and development are placed
at risk

 Sexual Abuse: When a child or young person is used by an older or bigger child, adolescent, or
adult for his or her own sexual stimulation or gratification

Child abuse and exploitation generally refers to one of more of the following:
 Committing or coercing another person to commit an act or acts of abuse against a child
 Possessing, controlling, producing, distributing, obtaining or transmitting child exploitation
material
 Committing or coercing another person to commit an act or acts of grooming or
online grooming

Child abuse material is material that depicts (expressly or implicitly) a child under 18 years of age as
a victim of torture, cruelty or physical abuse.

Child exploitation material is the collective description for material, irrespective of its form, which
constitutes child abuse material or child pornography material.

Child pornography material depicts, or is a representation of, a person who is, or appears to be,
under 18 years of age and who is, or appears to be, engaged in a sexual pose or sexual activity, or is
in the presence of a person who is, or appears to be engaged in, a sexual pose or activity, and does
this in a way that a reasonable person would, in all the circumstances, regard as being offensive.

Grooming generally refers to behaviour that makes it easier for an offender to procure a child for
sexual activity. For example, an offender might build a relationship of trust with the child, and then
seek to make that relationship a sexual one (for example by encouraging romantic feelings or
exposing the child to sexual concepts through pornography).

Online grooming can occur when a person sends an electronic message with indecent content to a
person who the sender believes to be under 18 years of age, with the intention of procuring the
recipient to engage in or submit to sexual activity with another person, including but not necessarily
the sender.

INTRODUCTION
All Adara representatives will conduct themselves in a manner which ensures children’s rights and
needs are always given priority. Children are often at risk from abuse and exploitation from a variety
of sources. It is the responsibility of Adara representatives to minimise this risk by promoting and
being examples of good practice in identifying and managing potential risks. The Code of Conduct
describes the basic expectations of Adara representatives regarding their contact and dealings with
children.

Adara recognises that each country has its own legal system. This policy and these standards must
be interpreted and enforced in accordance with local law. There may be instances where the policy
and standards are more stringent than local law, and in these cases the Adara policy should be
followed.
CORE OBLIGATIONS
Adara will act at all times to ensure children’s safety and protection. Adara values its staff, directors
and volunteers and will support their active contribution to achieving this goal.

Adara representatives will:

 Maintain and promote a safe environment for children to participate in Adara’s activities
 Organise work to minimise the risk of all forms of child abuse and exploitation and accidental
harm to children
 Take action to inform themselves and others on the rights of the child and specifically child
protection
 Treat all children with the highest standards of respect and courtesy
 Listen to children
 Be aware of how their interactions with children may be seen by the children themselves and
others
 Establish a culture that empowers children, their families and communities to be knowledgeable
of their rights, to know what is acceptable and unacceptable and to know what they can do when
there are problems
 Immediately report any allegations or suspicions of child abuse to the Chief Executive Officer
 Respond swiftly and in confidence to any such allegations
 Conduct themselves in a manner that is consistent with Adara’s culture and values

In addition, Adara representatives will:

 be knowledgeable of local customs, practices and behaviours
 consider children’s health, safety and well-being, and their best interests, as paramount
 not condone or participate in behaviour involving children which is illegal, unsafe or abusive
 avoid being placed in compromising or vulnerable positions
 not discriminate against or show favour to particular children
 not use their position of authority inappropriately
 not use their relationship with children to obtain inappropriate favours
 realise that they are always the responsible parties, even if a child behaves inappropriately
 not behave in a way whereby their actions (physical, verbal or otherwise) are or could be
perceived as offensive, inappropriate, abusive, neglectful or exploitative
 Where possible and practical, not spend time alone with children who are not members of their
immediate or extended family, in their homes, project premises or elsewhere
 not provide shelter for children in their homes unless in the case of extreme emergency

ANY BREACH OF THE CODE OF CONDUCT CAN LEAD TO DISMISSAL OF ADARA STAFF, DIRECTORS,
VOLUNTEERS AND CONTRACTORS FROM EMPLOYMENT OR SERVICE AND MAY RESULT IN LEGAL
PROCEEDINGS

CORE PRINCIPLES
The following six core principles are specifically adopted as part of this policy, and will be incorporated
into all relevant documents and agreements entered into or adopted by Adara:

 All forms of abuse and exploitation of children by humanitarian and development workers
constitute acts of gross misconduct and are therefore grounds for termination of employment
 Where a humanitarian or development worker develops concerns or suspicions regarding any
type of child abuse or exploitation s/he must report such concerns via established agency
reporting mechanisms
 Humanitarian and development workers are obliged to create and maintain an environment that
prevents all forms of abuse and exploitation of children and promotes the implementation of the
Adara code of conduct. Managers at all levels have particular responsibilities to support and
develop systems that maintain this environment
 Sexual activity with children (persons under the age of 18) is prohibited regardless of the age of
majority or age of consent locally. Mistaken belief in the age of a child is not a defence
 Exchange of money, employment, goods, or services for sex, including sexual favours or other
forms of humiliating, degrading or exploitative behaviour is prohibited. This includes exchange of
assistance that is due to beneficiaries
 Sexual relationships between humanitarian and development workers and beneficiaries (both
adults and children) are prohibited since they are based on inherently unequal power dynamics.
Such relationships undermine the credibility and integrity of humanitarian aid work

CHILD PROTECTION PROCEDURES

ORGANISATIONAL AWARENESS AND ADVOCACY
All Adara representatives will be informed of Adara’s child protection policies and compliance with
them is expected. Any breach is treated with the utmost seriousness and will be investigated and
dealt with accordingly.

Child protection awareness will be included at all stages of Adara operations including the hiring,
orientation and training of all representatives who will come into contact with children at all levels and
in all offices.

Adara will ensure that all Adara representatives have read and are aware of this policy. Any changes
made to the policy will be communicated immediately.

RECRUITMENT
Adara is committed to child safe recruitment, selection and screening practices. All Adara
representatives will be informed of this policy during the recruitment process. All employees and
volunteers will be required to sign an acknowledgement that they have both read this policy and will
comply with its requirements.

Where Adara determines it is necessary or appropriate, employees and volunteers, particularly those
who conduct work that brings them into direct contact with children, must provide a “working with
children” or similar clearance from the applicable regulator and/or assist Adara to make background
checks, which may include police or criminal history checks. All staff will be required to provide
original proof of identity documents such as a birth certificate, passport, driver’s licence and relevant
qualifications, when requested by Adara to do so.

Adara may refuse to employ, or terminate the employment of, any person who it reasonably believes
may pose a risk to children.

TRAINING
This policy will be made available to all staff, volunteers and others visiting or involved with Adara
projects. It is the responsibility of the Chief Executive Officer to ensure that all Adara offices, including
overseas, have a copy of and that all Adara staff are aware of, and trained on, this policy.

The Chief Executive Officer will nominate a person in each office responsible for ensuring that all their
representatives adhere to this policy. In situations where any part of the policy is in conflict with local
law, that responsible person must bring this to the attention of the Chief Executive Officer.

Staff will be made aware of the importance of their own responsibility in the upholding and
implementation of this policy. Any violation of the policy (including any suspected or known abuse or
exploitation) must be reported directly to the Chief Executive Officer.
MARKETING AND PRINTED MATERIAL
Adara undertakes all reasonable precautions to protect paper and electronic information about
children. At all times staff are required to adhere to Adara’s policies in relation to privacy and
photography – use of image.

All communications involving children must use pictures and text that are decent and respectful.

ALLEGATION REPORTING, MANAGEMENT AND INVESTIGATION

Adara is committed to doing all it possibly can to prevent the abuse of children and to hold
accountable all those who do.

ALL ADARA REPRESENTATIVES ARE REQUIRED TO REPORT IMMEDIATELY TO THE CHIEF

EXECUTIVE OFFICER ANY:
 Disclosure or allegation from a child or community member or Adara representative regarding the
safety, abuse or exploitation of a child
 Observation of concerning behaviour by any Adara representative that breaches this policy or the
Child Protection Code of Conduct
 Inappropriate use of Adara’s technology, including computers and photographic equipment
 Person engaging in suspicious behaviour that could be associated with child abuse or
exploitation or trafficking

IF A PERSON KNOWINGLY CHOOSES NOT TO REPORT AN INCIDENT OR ANY SUSPICION OF CHILD

ABUSE OR EXPLOITATION, THEN THEY WILL BE REMOVED FROM ANY ASSOCIATION WITH ADARA.
The Chief Executive Officer will conduct an investigation in a timely and thorough manner, and may
require the assistance of outside legal, mediation or other expert advice. The investigation and its
outcomes will be appropriately documented.

The investigation may require the interview of the person making an allegation, other witnesses and
the person who is alleged to have been involved in the incident or is the subject of the suspicion. The
matter may be referred to local police or other authorities if it is considered to involve criminal
behaviour.

Adara will treat all concerns raised seriously and treat all parties involved fairly. All reports will be
handled professionally, confidentially and expediently. All reports, the names of people involved and
the details will remain confidential and any disclosure will be on a “need to know” basis or when
required by relevant local or Australian law or when police or child protection authorities are notified of
the incident or allegation.

All reports made in good faith will be viewed as being made in the best interests of the child
regardless of the outcomes of any investigation. Adara will ensure that the interests of the Adara
representative reporting child abuse in good faith are protected. Any Adara representative who
intentionally makes false or malicious allegations, will face disciplinary action.

The rights and welfare of the child is of prime importance. Every effort will be made to protect the
rights and safety of the child throughout any investigation.

During an investigation, the best interests of the child may warrant the standing down of an Adara
representative. Any staff member stood down in this manner will continue to receive full pay -
recognising that the member is entitled to a fair process that does not pre-judge the outcome of any
investigation.
CHILD PROTECTION CODE OF CONDUCT

I, _____________________, agree that I will comply with Adara Development Child Protection Policy
and, while visiting project activities funded by or related to Adara Development, I will:
 Treat children with respect regardless of race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other
opinion, national, ethnic or social origin, property, disability, birth or other status
 Not use language or behaviour towards children that is inappropriate, harassing, abusive,
sexually provocative, demeaning or culturally inappropriate
 Not engage children in any form of sexual activity or acts, including paying for sexual services or
acts. I understand that mistaken belief of the age of the child is not a defence
 Wherever possible, ensure that another adult is present when working in the proximity of children
Not invite unaccompanied children into my home, unless they are at immediate risk of injury or in
physical danger
 Not sleep close to unsupervised children unless absolutely necessary, in which case I must obtain
my manager’s permission, and ensure that another adult is present if possible
 Use any computers, mobile phone, or video and digital cameras appropriately, and never exploit
or harass children or to access child pornography through any medium
 Refrain from physical punishment or discipline of children (excluding my own children)
 Refrain from hiring children for domestic or other labour 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
 Comply with all relevant legalisation, including labour laws in relation to child labour
 Immediately report concerns or allegations of child abuse in accordance with appropriate
procedures outlined in the Adara Child Protection Policy

USE OF CHILDREN’S SOUNDS AND IMAGES FOR WORK RELATED PURPOSES

I agree that I will comply with Adara Development Photography Use of Image Policy, set out in the
Annexure.

I understand that the onus is on me to use common sense and avoid actions or behaviours that could
be construed as child abuse when undertaking project activities.

I confirm that at no time have I ever been involved in or convicted of any criminal offence, including an
offence of or relating to child abuse or child pornography, in any country. I have not been charged
with any offence that is incomplete or awaiting legal action, nor am I aware of any investigation into
my affairs that has the potential to lead to such charges.

___________________________
NAME (please print)

__________________________ ___________________
Signature Date
CHILD PROTECTION CODE OF CONDUCT

Annexure

PHOTOGRAPHY
USE OF IMAGE POLICY

1. CONSENT
1.1. Photos on location at any project site of Adara Development must only be taken after
permission has been granted by the person(s) to be photographed.
1.2. Photos of children on location at any project site of Adara Development will not be taken
unless parental or guardian consent has been obtained.
1.3. When possible, establish a relationship before you start taking photos. When you approach
photo subjects on site, briefly introduce yourself, be courteous, and explain the purpose of
your visit or the reason you want to take photos. In clinical contexts, speak with the clinical
director before you begin photographing workers or clients.

2. TYPES OF IMAGES
2.1. Photos must be taken in a courteous manner, giving due respect to the local communities,
staff and others.
2.2. The images must present subjects in a dignified manner and should not present them as
vulnerable or victims.
2.3. People (especially children) should be adequately clothed in photographs and not in poses
that could be interpreted as sexually suggestive.
2.4. Paternalistic images should be avoided (ex. portraying the agency/donors as the ‘providers’)
2.5. Avoid using images of identifiable clients in clinics.

3. PHOTO USE
3.1. You will not use any pictures, images, or other likenesses of children and/or information
related to children that could compromise their care and protection through any form of
communication media (including all social media such as Facebook, MySpace, Flicker,
Twitter, YouTube, etc.)
3.2. Remember: photographing and using photos of vulnerable populations requires extreme
care and sensitivity. To protect the identity of individuals who may be put at risk of reprisal or
rejection in their communities as a result of allowing their picture to be taken it is necessary
to make sure they cannot be identified and leave out personal information such as names.
3.3. Images of children should not be accompanied by information relating to their place of
residence. Images with corresponding text which may identify a child must be removed.
3.4. Photographs should be used in context and should be a true representation of events.
3.5. Images will not be used in public communications without the written approval of the
Communications Manager of Adara Development.

4. MEDIA
4.1. Media (including print, TV, video, documentary or other media) must act with particular
sensitivity to ensure our staff, communities and beneficiaries are not endangered.
4.2. No individual child’s image (including photo or video) may be used in any identifiable form for
the purpose of media.
4.3. Pictures of children in groups of more than three are permissible as long as they are not
labelled, named or otherwise identified in any way.
4.4. Direction and permission for any media must be sought from and given by the
Communications Manager and/or Country Director.