The Mitrata Organization is pleased to present its Child Protection Policy. This policy has been developed in order to provide a clear framework for managing and reducing risks of child abuse by persons engaged in visiting, volunteering or working with children supported by Mitrata Organization and its partner organisation.

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The policy applies to all members of the Mitrata Organization management team, our overseas business partners and any sponsor, visitor or volunteer who will come into contact with children through the Mitrata Organization.  All questions about this policy should be directed to ​​the Child Protection Officer at ChEd Nepal: enquiries@chednepal.org.

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Purpose

Child abuse happens in all societies throughout the world. Child abusers can be anyone including those who work with/care for children.

The UN Convention of the Rights of the Child (1989) states that: 'All children have equal rights to protection from abuse and exploitation. Everyone has the responsibility to support the care and protection of children. We are all accountable and have a duty to help eradicate child abuse.'

This child protection policy articulates the Mitrata Organization’s zero tolerance approach to child abuse and child pornography. It provides a framework for managing and reducing risks of child abuse by persons engaged in delivering the Mitrata Organization’s program activities.

The policy’s overall goal is to protect children from abuse of all kinds in the delivery of the Mitrata Organization’s  program activities. The policy outlines practical steps to increase the Mitrata Organization’s capacity to manage and reduce risks of child abuse. While it is not possible to eliminate risk entirely, much can be done to reduce opportunities for child abuse.

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Definitions

Child: A child means any human being below the age of eighteen years of age. Child abuse includes sexual exploitation, physical and/or mental harm deliberately caused to a child.

Sexual Abuse: Sexual abuse is when someone involves a child or young person in a sexual activity by using their power over them or taking advantage of their trust. Often children are bribed or threatened physically and psychologically to make them participate in the activity.

Physical Abuse: Physical abuse is a non-accidental injury or pattern of injuries to a child caused by a parent, caregiver or any other person. It includes but is not limited to injuries which are caused by excessive discipline, severe beatings or shakings, cigarette burns, attempted strangulation and female genital mutilation. Injuries include bruising, lacerations or welts, burns, fractures or dislocation of joints. Hitting a child around the head or neck and/or using a stick, belt or other object to discipline or punish a child (in a non-trivial way) is a crime.

Psychological Abuse: Psychological abuse can occur where the behaviour of the parent or caregiver damages the confidence and self esteem of the child or young person, resulting in serious emotional deprivation or trauma.

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Recognising signs of child abuse

Recognising indications of potential abuse is complex and there is no simple checklist to allow easy recognition. There are potential warning signs that you can be alert to but they should be observed and assessed with care. It should not be automatically assumed that abuse is occurring, and talking to the child may reveal something quite innocent. It is important, however, not to dismiss significant changes in behaviour, fears, worries, and physical indicators a child is exhibiting. Do not ignore these signs, but remember it is not your role to become an investigator. 

Possible signs of physical abuse

The following signs may or may not be indicators that abuse has taken place, but the possibility should be considered.

• Any significant injuries not consistent with the explanation given for them

• Injuries which occur to the body in places which are not normally exposed to falls or rough games

• Bruises, bites, burns and fractures, for example, which do not have an accidental explanation

• The child gives inconsistent accounts for the cause of injuries

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Possible signs of sexual abuse

The following signs may or may not be indicators that sexual abuse has taken place, but the possibility should be considered.

• Any allegations made by a child concerning sexual abuse

• The child has an excessive preoccupation with sexual matters and inappropriate knowledge of adult sexual behaviour for their age, or regularly engages in sexual play inappropriate for their age

• Sexual activity through words, play or drawing

• Repeated urinary infections or unexplained stomach pains

• The child is sexually provocative or seductive with adults

• Severe sleep disturbances with fears, phobias, vivid dreams or nightmares which sometimes have overt or veiled sexual     connotations

Signs of possible emotional abuse

Depression, aggression, extreme anxiety, changes or regression in mood or behaviour, particularly where a child withdraws or becomes clingy

• Obsessions or phobias

• Sudden underachievement or lack of concentration

• Seeking adult attention and not mixing well with other children

• Sleep or speech disorders

• Negative statements about self

• Highly aggressive or cruel to others

• Extreme shyness or passivity

• Running away, stealing and lying

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Signs of possible neglect

• Extremes of dirty skin, body smells, unwashed, uncombed hair and untreated lice

• Frequently left unsupervised or alone

• Frequent diarrhea

• Untreated illnesses, infected cuts or physical complaints which the carer does not respond to

Statement of Commitment

The Mitrata Organization’s Child Protection Policy is a statement of intent that demonstrates a commitment to safeguard children from harm. It makes clear to all the requirements in relation to the protection of children. The policy helps to create a safe and positive environment for children and shows that the organisation is taking its duty of care seriously.

The Challenge

Across the world in 2002, 150 million girls and 73 million boys under 18 experienced forced sexual intercourse or other forms of sexual violence. Every year some 1.2 million children are trafficked into exploitative work, many of them into commercial sexual exploitation. Orphaned, displaced, homeless and abandoned children are particularly vulnerable to sexual exploitation and abuse, as are children with disabilities. Children are also highly vulnerable during emergency and disaster situations (natural or conflict based), because they are often separated from their parents and other caregivers who would normally protect them from harm.

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Child sex offenders may seek employment in children’s organisations or may volunteer to work in remote or vulnerable communities. They may also move from developed countries to developing countries due to heightened awareness, tougher laws and more rigorous screening processes in developed countries. Sex offenders may seek opportunities to perpetrate child abuse through paid or unpaid employment with organisations implementing development activities in circumstances that make children inherently vulnerable to such risks.

The risk of child abuse is elevated when overseas aid activities bring aid workers into regular contact with children (for example, in disaster responses, primary and secondary education activities, women’s refuges and some health, infrastructure and human rights activities).

As overseas aid contributions from developed countries rise, it is essential to ensure that risks of child abuse associated with aid delivery are managed effectively. It is also vital that organisations remain alert to child protection issues and have the capacity to manage them effectively.

The Mitrata Organization’s first priority is the safety and well being of children that we are working with in Nepal. Our strict Child Protection Policy will endeavour to ensure that children are not exposed to abuse, exploitation, violence or neglect. Our guidelines protect both the child from abuse and adults from false accusations.

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Zero tolerance of child abuse: Child abuse is not tolerated by the Mitrata Organization, nor is possession of, or access to, child pornography. The Mitrata Organization actively manages risks of child abuse associated with delivering its program activities and trains its management, overseas business partners and all sponsors and volunteers who come into contact with children through the organisation on their obligations. The Mitrata Organization will not knowingly engage with, directly or indirectly, anyone who poses an unacceptable risk to children nor associate with any individual or organisation that does not meet the Mitrata Organization’s child protection compliance standards in their operations and activities.

Recognition of the best interests of the child:  In reference to UN Convention of the Rights of the Child (1989) the Mitrata Organization is committed to upholding the rights and obligations of the convention. The Mitrata Organization recognises that some children, such as children with disabilities and children living in areas impacted by disasters (natural or conflict based), are particularly vulnerable. All decisions and actions concerning a child will always be made in the best interests of the child. The Mitrata Organization will enforce a policy of non-discrimination at all times and all children will be treated equally with love and respect.

Sharing responsibility for child protection: To effectively manage risks to children, the Mitrata Organization requires the active support and cooperation of all personnel engaged in implementing the Mitrata Organization's program activities. All personnel must meet the terms of this child protection policy and will be held accountable for complying with it.

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Participation and Self- Determination:  The Mitrata Organization abides by the principle that a child has the right to have his or her views taken into account  in major decisions affecting their life in accordance with their age development They will be given the opportunity to express their ideas and views and be heard on matters which affect them.  The Mitrata Organization aims to provide safe and friendly environments where children can develop and grow in a healthy way.

Use of risk management approach: While it is not possible to eliminate all risk of child abuse, careful management can reduce the incidence of child abuse associated with aid activities. This policy introduces risk assessments and treatments for a range of recognised risks to children.

Implementation of this policy

Ensure coordinated policy implementation: the Mitrata Organization's responsibilities include promoting child protection throughout the organisation, coordinating and facilitating training and procedures for the Mitrata Organization management team, overseas business partners and all sponsors, visitors and volunteers who come into contact with children through the Mitrata Organization. ChEd NEPAL’s Child Protection Officer (CPO) is responsible for monitoring internal and external policy compliance and coordinating policy reviews. The CPO also serves as the central contact point for enquiries (internal and external) about child abuse and child protection. For more information please email enquiries@chednepal.org.