(hereinafter referred to as the ‘CPP’)
Scope of Application
- This CPP is applicable to all of the Organisation’s representatives (including staff, panel lawyers, interns, consultants, etc) and all the Children with whom those representatives come in direct or indirect contact.
- All interactions (including those occurring in the Organisation’s workplace and any virtual interactions – whether online or telephonically) between the Organisation’s representatives and the Children shall be governed by this CPP.
Code of Conduct and expected behavior
- Privacy and Confidentiality
– Representatives shall maintain confidentiality on matters pertaining to the identity of children.
– No representative should divulge any details which might disclose the identity of a child to anyone outside the organisation.
– Keep all personal information concerning Children or their parents/guardians confidential, and ensure that such information is only dispensed to those who are legitimately entitled to it. - Informed Consent
– Always take consent from Children or their parents/guardians before taking their pictures or making videos of them, and do not use or publish any such pictures, videos or content in relation to Children in a manner that might reveal their identity without their prior consent.
– Exercise caution and follow cyber safety norms while using information technology in relation to Children.
- Dignity and Worth
– Treat Children with dignity and do not label, stigmatise or discriminate against them.
– Do not use any language or behaviour towards Children that is inappropriate, abusive, sexually provocative, demeaning, intimidating, offensive, discriminatory or culturally insensitive. - Equality and Non-discrimination
– Treat every Child with empathy and respect, regardless of their race, gender, sexuality, religious belief, heritage, political opinion, ethnic/social origin or any other status, or that of their parents or guardians. - Non-Judgemental Attitude & Acceptance
-Accept each Child as they are, without any pre-conceived notions.
-Ensure that no form of communication with the Child projects that they are being blamed or held responsible for their current situation.
-Do not attempt to trivialise or normalise the Child’s experiences or circumstances.
– Acknowledge and respect the Child’s concerns, fears, thoughts or apprehensions, and take appropriate measures to address them. - Child’s Participation & Best Interest
– Every Child shall have a right to be heard and to participate in all processes and decisions affecting their interest. This shall include promoting children‘s active involvement in decisions regarding their own cases and providing opportunities for discussion and debate.
– All decisions regarding the child shall be based on the primary consideration that they are in the best interest of the child. - Safety & No Harm
– All measures shall be taken to ensure that the child is safe and is not subjected to any harm, abuse or maltreatment while in contact with the organisation or any of its representatives.
– All representatives shall comply with the following directives:
Do not develop, induce or support physical or sexual relationships with Children, in any way.
Do not develop any form of relationship or arrangement (financial or otherwise) with Children which could in any way be deemed to be exploitative or abusive.
Do not place a Child at risk of harms or abuse and do not harm or abuse any Child physically, emotionally or sexually.
Always be sensitive to the needs of Children with disabilities and do not say or do anything that would humiliate them.
Do not use Child labour in any form.
Ensure that physical contact with a Child is always respectful, consensual, culturally appropriate and essential to the purpose of your interaction with the Child.
Refrain from using or encouraging the use or consumption of alcohol, drugs, tobacco or any other intoxicating/harmful substances while interacting with Children and from providing such intoxicating substances to them.
Do not share with or show Children (electronically or in any other form) inappropriate content including pornographic material or material encouraging crime, violence, terrorism, racism, sexism, self-harm, suicide, cruelty and gambling. - Communication
– Children and their guardians must receive timely updates on the progress and status of their cases.
– For all meetings between the Organisation’s Representatives and the Child, either the Child’s guardian(s), a social worker, or a female representative of the organisation shall be present.
Reporting to the CPC
- Representatives must report any incident which comes to their knowledge to the appropriate authority and maintain complete confidentiality about the Incident, as laid down in this CPP.
- The Complainant should send the Child abuse complaint to the Child Protection Officer (CPO), Karuvaki Mohanty, by email or in writing in the format provided in the CPP.
- Where the Complainant is unable to report the Incident by email or in writing, a complaint may be made verbally to the CPO, who shall document the complaint in writing.
A violation of any term of this CPP (including the Code of Conduct) will entitle the Organisation to take appropriate actions, including the necessary legal actions, against the violator.
To view the full Child Protection Policy, click here.
