Child Safeguarding Protocols

ATTY. ORVILLE DELA CERNA

ATTORNEY III
DEPED CEBU PROVINCE
WHY Child Safeguarding
1. It is universally
2.There is widespread
accepted
ratification of the United
that children have a right
Nations Convention on the
to Protection from
Rights of the Child.
violence, Exploitation,
Abuse, and Neglect. 3. But, as children tell us, the abuse
and sexual exploitation of children
still occur on a global scale and in
every country, culture and society.

4. All child abuse and sexual exploitation

involves the abuse of children’s rights
and is unacceptable!
Why … what happens?
Humanitarian aid workers and other International Non Government
Organization (NGO) reps are placed in a position of special trust by who
they serve. .
Immense Damage

Zero
Long term Toler
Effects ance

When that special trust is exploited and standards for safeguardin

children fail, IMMENSE DAMAGE is caused with LONG g TERM
effects
on the lives of victims and implications for the credibility and reputation of
the organization involved
WHAT is Child Safeguarding

ZERO
TOLERANCE to
all forms of violence
against children.
Will I know child abuse when I see it?
1. Physical Abuse. Hitting, Shaking,Throwing. Poisoning. Burning or
scalding.
Drowning. Suffocating… Fabricating symptoms of or deliberately causing ill
2. health of a child…causing physical harm
Emotional Abuse. Making children feel they are worthless, unloved,
inadequate or valued only if they meet needs of another person. Causing children to
frequently feel frightened. Exploitation or corruption of children. Imposing
3. expectations that are age or developmentally inappropriate.
Sexual Abuse.. Rape or buggery or non-penetrative acts. Involving children
in looking at or in the production of pornographic material, encouraging children to
behave in sexually inappropriate ways. Forcing or enticing a child or young
person to take part in sexual activities whether or not the child is aware of what is
happening.
4.
Neglect. Failing to provide adequate food, shelter and clothing or neglect of or
unresponsiveness to a child’s basic emotional needs. Persistent failure to meet a
child’s basic physical and/or psychological needs that may likely result in serious
impairment of the children’s health or development.
Will I know child physical abuse when I see it?
Hitting, Shaking.Throwing. Poisoning. Burning or scalding. Drowning. Suffocating…
Fabricating symptoms of or deliberately causing ill health of a child…causing physical
harm
Physical Indicators Behavioral / Emotional Indicators
• Particularly bruises to certain • Fear of parents or careers being contacted
parts are unlikely to be accidentally • Aggressive behavior or severe temper
injured. outburst
• Unexplained bruising marks or • Running away from home
injuries on any part of the body • Fear of going home
• Bruises which reflect hand marks or • Flinching when approached or touched
finger tips from slapping grabbing or • Reluctance to get changed e.g. sports, games
pinching • Arms and legs covered in hot weather
• Bruising around wrists, ankles, neck • Depression
or trunk from use of restraint • Withdrawal or watchful behavior
• Cigarette burns • Refusal to discuss injuries
• Bite marks • Fear of medical help
• Scalds • Self destructive tendencies
• Bald patched • Admission of punishment
• Untreated injuries • Changes in behavior
Will I know child emotional abuse when I see it?
Making children feel they are worthless, unloved, inadequate or valued only if they
meet needs of another person. Causing children to frequently feel frightened.
Exploitation or corruption of children. Imposing expectations that are age or
developmentally inappropriate.

Physical Indicators Behavioral / Emotional Indicators

• May be thought of as quiet, shy • Neurotic behavior sulking, rocking
children. • Inappropriate emotional responses to
• Failure to grow or thrive emotionally painful situations
particularly if the child puts on • Being unable to play / socialize
weight in other circumstances e.g. • Fear of new situations Fear of making
while in hospital • mistakes Self harm / mutilation
• Speech disorders especially if • Fear of contact with parents Extremes
they develop suddenly • of passivity or aggression Drug /
• Developmental delay either in • solvent abuse
terms of physical or mental process • Chronic running away Compulsive
• stealing / scavenging Changes in
• behavior
•
 Will I know child sexual abuse when I see it?
Rape or non-penetrative acts. Involving children in watching /producing
pornographic material, encouraging children to behave in sexually inappropriate
ways. Forcing or enticing a child or young person to take part in sexual activities
whether or not the child is aware of what is happening
Physical Indicators Behavioral / Emotional Indicators
Note: Many forms of • Unexplained aggressive or withdrawn behavior
sexual • Fear of persons
abuse may show no physical • Running away from home
signs • Excuses given for not going home or school Taking
at all. Children of all ages, and • over parental role beyond age Nightmares
both genders are sexually abused. • Sexual knowledge beyond age/dev level
• Pain or itching in genital area • Eating disorder
• Bruising in genital / anal area • Self harm and mutilations / suicide attempt
• Sexually transmitted infections • Self loathing
• Stomach pains and headaches • Saying they have secrets that can’t be told
• Discomfort sitting, walking • Substance / drug abuse
• Pregnancy • Sudden unexplained sources of money
• Fear of getting undressed e.g. in gym
• Chronic depression, memory loss, can’t concentrate
• Have a friend who has a problem who is abused
•
Will I know child abuse by neglect when I see it?
Failing to provide adequate food, shelter and clothing or neglect of or
unresponsiveness to a child’s basic emotional needs. Persistent failure to meet a
child’s basic physical and/or psychological needs that may likely result in serious
impairment of the children’s health or development.

Physical Indicators Behavioral / Emotional Indicators

Note: Children / Young people who Note: Children who are or who have been
are or who have been neglected may neglected may suffer abuse from their peer
suffer a number of difficulties. group.
• Constant hunger sometimes • Being tired most of the time
stealing food • School attendance problems
• Poor personal hygiene constantly • Failing to maintain medical
dirty • appointments
• Loss of weight / underweight • Few friends
• Inappropriate dress for weather • Stating they are left along unsupervised
conditions • Destructive tendencies
• Constant tiredness • Low self esteem
• Neurotic behavior e.g. rocking
• Chronic runaway
Compulsive stealing or scavenging
WHAT is Child Safeguarding
Our Commitment. 4 steps
4. RESPONDING. We will ensure that action is taken to support,
safeguard and protect children where concerns arise regarding their
possible abuse and exploitation.

3. REPORTING. We will ensure that staff and others are

clear as to what steps to take where concerns arise regarding
the abuse or exploitation of children.

2. PREVENTION. We will ensure that staff and others

minimize the risks to children.
Will create an environment where children’s rights are
respected and child abuse and sexual exploitation of children
is prevented.
1. AWARENESS. All staff, partners, reps, volunteers are
aware of problem of child abuse and sexual exploitation and
the risks to children.
Children and families are aware of standards of behavior they
can expect
WHO is involved in Child Safeguarding

1. “STAFF” whether full time, part time or engaged on short term

contracts, e.g. consultants, researchers etc and whether international
or national

2. “REPRESENTATIVES” Volunteers, board members, trustees of

the Organization or its Member organizations

3. “STAFF OF PARTNER AGENCIES” other individuals, groups or

organizations who have a formal / contractual relationships to the
organization that involves any contact with children (unless it is
formally agreed that partner organization may enforce its own
safeguarding or protection policy)
Child Safeguarding Protocol
You as a STAFF
You as a REPRESENTATIVE / VOLUNTEER
You as a PARTNER

agree that in the course of your work with children …

Will
Will NOT
 Child Protection Protocol
… I will …
RESPECT all children regardless of BCDE LP
R2S3
RESPECT all Birth, Color, Disability, Ethnic origin,
Language, Political opinion, Race, Religion,
Sex, Social origin Status
WISE. - welcoming inclusive and safe
Be W.I.S.E. W.I.S.E. environment

Encourage children, young people, parents,

Speak Up staff,
volunteers to speak up about issues that
affect
them
NO to CP - +
Discipl “+ discipline” is based on children’s rights to
Corporal
ine development, protection from violence and
Punishment
YES! participation. It uses 4 principles – using long-term
goals, providing warmth and structure, understanding
how children think and feel, and problem solving.

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 Child Protection Protocol
… I will …

2 Adult Rule Whenever possible, another adult(s) is

(at least) present
when working w/ or near children

Follow Child Comply with local, national,

international
Protection laws CHILD PROTECTION laws

Be transparent. If I am involved in any situation:

Advise my -Where my actions could be misinterpreted
Superior / -Which could bring bad reputation to the
Manager org
-Of crime investigation or charge
Report ASAP .Immediately report concerns or allegations of
child abuse

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 Child Protection Protocol
… what I will NOT …

Do no harm •B.D.H.S. Belittle. Degrade. Humiliate. Shame

•Condone or participate in illegal, unsafe or abusive
behavior with children -

Speak – A.D.D.O.S.
Talk no harm
Abusive. Demeaning. Discriminatory. Offensive.
Sexual
Language
Discriminate +/- Discriminate against OR in favor of
particular
children to exclusion of others.

Hire – Hire children for domestic or other

labor –
child labor inappropriate for age or interferes
with their education or play or places
them at risk or injury.
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 Child Protection Protocol
… what I will NOT …
I will NOT … with
children
•CHKT– Cuddle. Hold. Kiss.Touch. –
inappropriate
even if just culturally
SEXUAL. •Do personal things for children that they
can do for
Don’t go there themselves e.g. toileting / change of clothes
•Sleep close to children unless absolutely
necessary
(advise manager; 2 adult rule)
•Spend time outside work requirements with
any
child connected with the organization’s
programs
•Create / access sexually abusive images of
children
•Use technology to exploit or harass children
•Provoke sex or engage in ANY sex e.g. pay for sex
•Marry or have sex w/ under 18
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Child Safeguarding. Remember…
1. ALWAYS be alert to potential indicators of abuse or neglect
2. ALWAYS be alert to the risks which individual abusers or potential
abusers may pose to children
3. Report any concern you have to your line manager within 24 hrs.
4. DON’T keep it to yourself
5. Where possible, ensure that the child(ren) is safe and has received
any medical care required.
6. Follow the Office Child Safeguarding Procedures
7. Ensure your Manager, Principal, etc. report your concerns
IMMEDIATELY to appropriate agencies (NGO, DSWD, LGU,
etc.), and follows the Management Guidance.

.
8. RECORD events on the Incident Report
Form within 48 hrs for the
Focal Point to store securely and
confidentially.
9. Be available for any further meetings on
the situation internally or
externally if required.
10. Maintain confidentiality.
…salamat po!