CHILD PROTECTION POLICY

1. ABOUT US

1.1. Who Are We?

Beyond the Horizon International Strategic Studies Group (BtH) is an independent next-generation think & do tank in Belgium.

BtH aims to promote glocal (global & local) peace and security through its strong in-house capacity (Team) and extensive network of partners throughout the world.

1.2. What Do We Do?

Our activities include:

THINK

Research & Analysis – We empower decision and policymakers and practitioners with data-driven & evidence-based research and analysis (Publications) including our quarterly journal ‘Horizon Insights’.

Monitor – We keep a watchful eye on the globe and crisis zones (Crisis Horizon) to bring emerging critical issues to the attention of professionals and the general public.

Forum – We serve as a forum for debate on our focus areas by organising different kinds of events and our annual landmark event ‘New Horizons Summit’.

DO

Training & consultancy – We provide world-class training and consultancy services based on our focus areas through our Horizon Global Academy.

Projects – We develop and employ innovative and sustainable solutions by making a combination of research, innovation and action projects in collaboration with selected partners (Horizon Projects).

Digital solutions – With our in-house capacity Horizon Lab, we transform our deliverables into data-driven products and enable our activities with digital tools and solutions.

2. CHILD PROTECTION POLICY

2.1. Introduction

BtH develops and employs innovative and sustainable solutions to societal challenges by making a combination of research, innovation and action projects in collaboration with selected partners.

In 2021, BtH implemented 6 European and nationally funded projects. In 2022 March, BtH started with another European Project, and it has other applications that await the announcement of results. Thus, projects constitute a major part of its activities. Some of those projects have so far required activities with children[1] and in the future, this trend is expected to continue.[2] The term “activities” can be construed as questionnaires with children, focus groups, consultations on training and documents, piloting a training course or other activity, workshops, school visits, participation in meetings/conferences, etc. Against this backdrop, this Child Protection Policy has been prepared:

1. to give children/young people and parents useful information about how BtH handles activities in which they are involved, how it guides its employees in their daily work,
2. to show how BtH makes itself accountable in such activities,
3. to lay a reference in guiding to the staff, including volunteers, on how to deal with activities that foresee activities with children, and thus protect them.

2.2. Who is a Child?

As described in Article 1 of the Convention on the Rights of the Child (1989),   Beyond the Horizon ISSG (BtH) considers a child to be anyone under the age of 18 years.

Children have the rights common to all human beings as outlined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights but also rights specific to being children and thus in the process of development.

Adults must respect the maturity and capacity of children to negotiate situations which vary dependent on the phase of growth. Children should be provided with a safe and protective environment in which they receive the care needed to develop physically, cognitively and emotionally. Neglecting these needs is understood as a form of violence against children.

2.3. What is Child Abuse?

Child abuse is considered to be any form of physical, emotional or sexual abuse and includes exploitation of children, commercial or otherwise. Abandonment and neglect of a child which results

in actual or potential damage to a child can also be considered abuse. Abuse may be deliberate, or a result of a lack of preventative action and protection. Below are several definitions that will clarify what constitutes abuse.

Negligence is carelessness or neglect by a responsible adult, individual, institution, carer or guardian. Neglect may involve an absence or lack of care negatively affecting a child`s education, emotional development, nutrition, housing and access to safe living conditions. A lack of adequate supervision and protection from any kind of harm is also considered neglect.

Physical abuse occurs when physical harm, real or potential occurs against a child while under the care of parents, responsible individuals or institutions.

Sexual abuse is any sexual activity between a child and a person at a more advanced stage of psychosexual development. This also includes forcing or prompting a child to participate in sexual activities without physical contact (not necessarily including penetration). Sexual abuse also consists of depicting children in pornographic material, whether children have been used in the production of pornographic material or material has been altered for inappropriate sexual behaviour.

Emotional abuse is an emotional treatment that negatively affects children in relation to their perception of themselves and in their development. Abusive emotional behaviours include disregard, ridicule, threats, discrimination, bribery, degradation and any other hostile treatment towards a child.

2.4. Child Protection Policy

BtH strongly condemns all forms of child abuse and exploitation of children both within and outside of the organisation. In order to protect children in all our activities and those within consortia we are involved in, and to guarantee their respect and physical and emotional protection, the Child Protection Policy sets out rules and procedures for programs involving children.

BtH`s Child Protection Policy (CPP) affirms the organization`s commitment to the prevention of threats and violations against children`s rights through the development and adoption of specific measures to ensure children`s rights.

The Child Protection Policy must be followed by all employees and staff regardless of whether they are working on a full-time, part-time or temporary basis. This includes staff, consultants, researchers, volunteers, interns, directors, counsellors and management. The Child Protection Policy also applies to projects and programs of partner and visiting organisations, their supporters, donors, partner organizations, associated media and other involved parties. The procedures outlined here should be followed at all times.

3. SAFEGUARDING MEASURES THAT ARE IN PLACE TO PROTECT CHILDREN

3.1. Child Protection Committee (CPC)

BtH`s Child Protection Committee is comprised of two members, one permanent and another elected.  The Director of Horizon Projects is the permanent member while one professional from inside the organization is elected every two years to become part of the CPC.  All cases and violations of children`s rights whether observed or reported should be addressed by the Child Protection Committee and handled in line with the procedures outlined here in the Child Protection Policy. This should be made clear and central to the strategy, training, monitoring and dissemination of the Child Protection Policy. All staff should be trained in the Child Protection Policy and the application of the policy should be monitored.

Under the guidance of the Committee, Project Coordinators and other staff will ensure that the Child Protection Policy is implemented fully and efficiently. Project Coordinators will be responsible for implementing procedures and any concerns that may arise relating to child protection throughout the program or action. The Project Coordinator is the main reference for project staff and the point of contact in case of any concerns around child protection.

3.2. Legal Framework

The main international legal framework that BtH is committed to following is the Convention on the Rights of the Child which was ratified by Belgium in 1991. In terms of national legislation, the 2004 Flemish Decree on the legal status of the minor in the integrated? youth assistance’ and the 2013 Flemish ‘Decree Integrated Youth Aid’ constitutes the main references.

In 1997 the Children’s Rights Commission was established as an independent organisation that oversees the good compliance and application of children’s rights in Flanders. The Flemish government creates an integrated Youth and Children’s Rights Policy Plan (YCRPP) every 4 years. The plan that is currently applicable is the 2020 – 2024 plan that bundles all relevant policies into one document (https://publicaties.vlaanderen.be/view-file/42024).

BtH supports the Global Initiative to End All Forms of Physical Punishment against Girls and Boys launched in 2001 as part of the Geneva Human Rights Commission. The initiative is an alliance of multilateral organizations of NGOs, individuals and other stakeholders working to defend human rights and the rights of children. BtH believes that ending humiliating punishment is fundamental to the realisation of children’s rights, respect, human dignity, physical integrity and equal protection before the law.

3.2.1. The Convention on the Rights of the Child

The Convention on the Rights of the Child binds ratifying states to consider all people under the age of 18 as children and therefore as social actors and bearers of specific rights.

The Convention includes basic rights, the right to life, survival and development as protection rights, protection from economic and sexual exploitation, protection from violence and war and the rights of children and adolescents in conflict with the law, and fundamental civil rights and freedoms as the right to citizenship and freedom of expression and the right to civil participation.

The Convention is innovative in that it calls for the rights of children to participate, provides children with civil, social and cultural rights and promotes their active participation in decision-making processes, in relation to different phases of development. Alongside this, it also forwards the notion of the best interests of children and adolescents, guaranteeing the child full development, access to civic education and prevention of abuses of power by those responsible for the child. Based on this, increased status and maximised legal protection of the child are sought to guide and advise children to exercise their rights fully.

The Member States, of which Belgium is one, shall take all appropriate legislative, administrative, social and educational measures to protect the child from any form of harm or physical or mental abuse, neglect or negligent treatment, maltreatment or exploitation including sexual abuse, when under parental custody or care of alternative responsible guardian(s) or institution(s). All States should establish appropriate structures for the control and implementation of such measures, carrying out a decentralized system that involves local institutions and civil society.

3.2.2. The 2004 Decree on the Legal Status of the Minor in the Integrated Youth Assistance

This Decree guarantees the rights of all minors in regard to youth assistance, such as the right to participate, the right to information and clear communication, the right to respect for family life, the right to privacy, and complaint right, …

3.2.3. The 2013 Decree Integrated Youth Aid

 This Decree guarantees access to the youth aid, its mission, core principles and objectives, its continuity, the justice youth aid and social services, … The aim is to create an integrated approach, bringing together the minor, his parents, and significant others surrounding them in order to put forward their own powers.

3.2.4. The Flemish 2020 – 2024 Youth and Children’s Rights Policy Plan(YCRPP)

The policy plan is focused on 4 major societal goals: equal chances, a broad development, space, and more involvement in the society for all children and youth. On 13 March 2020, the Flemish Government, following advice from the Flemish Youth Council and the Children’s Rights Commission, approved five priority strategic objectives on which the Flemish Youth and Children’s Rights Policy Plan will focus in the coming policy period (VR 2020 1303 DOC.0213/1). Those priority strategic objective focus areas are:

(1) Well-being and positive identity development,

(2) Healthy and livable neighborhoods,

(3) Engagement in society through volunteerism,

(4) Leisure for all

(5) Media literacy

3.3. Measures / Rules on How to Behave When Working with Children

The aim of the measures presented here is to prevent the occurrence of these risks and to guarantee the safety of all those children participating in BtH’s projects.

3.3.1. Management

Ensuring the implementation of the Child Protection Policy, BtH is committed to:

1. Ensure that throughout involvement in BtH’s projects all employees, whether engaged in activities directly involving children or not, will sign a document confirming accordance with BtH’s Child Protection Policy.
2. Providing employees with the resources and training to effectively use the Child Protection Policy. This is in order that all employees can, besides understanding the Child Protection Policy, its importance, and in which contexts it is to be used, also understand which actors make up

this protection network in a given location and what their specific roles are in relation to it. The staff training must also stress the conception of children and adolescents as rights-bearing subjects, whose voices, desires and wishes must be respected.

1. Preserving the image of children participating in programs, projects and research, including ensuring that employees and partner organisations know how to not violate children`s rights in relation to images, with special attention paid to not displaying children`s images without the consent of those responsible.
2. Guiding visitors, journalists, partners, funders and other program and project stakeholders involved with BtH’s work on not publishing photographs or videos of children or adolescents in any medium of communication or organizational material without prior authorization to do so from BtH.
3. Ensuring confidentiality on the child and family`s personal information.
4. Adapting activities (whether they are physical or conceptual) to ensure the inclusion of children with disabilities to guarantee the rights of all children and enable unrestricted access to education, culture and sport and leisure independent of any physical limitations, including motor, sensory or cognitive challenges.
5. Including in work plans a focus on activities for children that seek to increase child participation and spaces where their opinions are listened to, and their agency promoted.

3.3.2. Research and evaluation

 In conducting research and evaluation activities all involved must ensure the privacy and protection of the identity of all participating children. Additionally, a safe space should be provided for conducting interviews, focus groups, questionnaires and other research tools. In research activities and the monitoring and evaluation of activities, BtH should endeavour to adapt research, monitoring and evaluation instruments in accordance with the age of the children being interviewed.

Aiming to ensure the implementation of the Child Protection Policy, the research and evaluation team must:

1. Ensure that, researchers while involved with BtH read and agree to the Child Protection Policy including signing a document indicating that they have done so.
2. Establish at the end of researchers assigned work with BtH that confidentiality on personal information and participating children`s identity must be preserved including clarifying what accountability measures are in place should there be a misuse of information.
3. Clarify the researchers` accountability for the confidentiality of the information obtained from children during the research.
4. Inform partners involved in BtH programs and legal guardians of children about the objectives and content of the research.
5. Provide information and clarifications to those responsible for the child`s welfare of the possible risks associated with the research and that the child may choose to stop participating in the research at any time if they so wish.
6. Gain permission from those responsible for the child to participate in the research by signing a letter of consent.
7. Provide information and recommendations on research that are accessible to the participating child`s legal guardian(s).
8. Guarantee that participating children are consulted about their interest in participating in the research and guarantee that they understand the whole process.
9. Verify that all the spaces used to conduct research activities are safe and protect the confidentiality of information.

3.3.3. Program areas

The education activities developed by BtH should create a safe space based on dialogue and respect for both participating girls and boys reflections. All involved in the design and implementation of the project should be committed to creating spaces that guarantee confidence, safety, and respect for differences and allow children and adolescents to feel able to express their ideas and opinions.

Aiming to ensure the implementation of the Child Protection Policy, the program team is committed to:

1. Creating a system of reporting and forwarding cases of violence against children including training staff on this process.
2. Guarantee the non-disclosure of information shared in the group`s education workshops and in other project spaces.
3. Preserve the identity of participants in reports and other documents produced from the project.
4. Guarantee the revision of material and reports by the project coordinators before their dissemination to a wider audience.
5. Guarantee the right of the child to not participate in the activity, and make clear that they are free to leave at any time if they do not feel comfortable or wish to continue, and this is to be done in accordance with the procedures and policy outlined in this document.
6. Evaluate the safety conditions of the space in which the activities will be implemented in order to decide on a monitoring system of these conditions.
7. Discuss with the partner organizations the terms of the Child Protection Policy and create protocols for the signing and following of this policy by partner organisations, staff and other involved parties.
8. Be available to parents and legal guardians in order to present the project, clarify any doubts on the project, respond to questions and request their participation in the development of activities.
9. Obtain authorization to use images, voice and video recordings of the child and their families whilst involved in project activities. The authorization form must clarify the objectives, means of dissemination and inform responsible guardians that this authorization can be withdrawn at any time. The program or project staff should explain to legal guardians about the terms of authorization, clarifying that no image will expose the child to embarrassing situations or violate their dignity in any way.
10. In cases of suspected abuse or violence of any form, refer the child to the appropriate service. The cases should be reported to the project coordinator and the Child Protection Committee, which will decide on the appropriate action.

3.3.4. Communication

 The communication area will be responsible for mediation between the press and the families of participating children. Prior to divulging any information or contact details of program participants or the projects developed by BtH for the media, the communication team should discuss with the project team. Communication should be responsible for informing legal guardians, explaining the risks and obtaining their authorization to share information and images. Only after the first contact made by a staff member, can the organisation disclose data to the media and this may not be in any form that may depict the child in a humiliating way or way that may conflict with their rights.

Aiming to ensure the implementation of the Child Protection Policy, the communication team is committed to:

1. Gaining the authorization of parents or legal guardians to use any images, voice or video recordings of the child and their family.
2. Using images and children`s testimonies on the website, newsletter or other institutional materials only with the authorization of the parents or legal guardians.
3. Guaranteeing that children`s testimonies in materials and reports only include the name, surname and age of the child if authorized by the parents or legal guardians.
4. Ensuring that the publication of photography and recordings of children on social networks such as Facebook and Twitter, by staff is forbidden and only BtH’s communication team is allowed to disseminate images and testimonies from project participants.

3.4. How to Report If Any Issues Arise

All cases relating to the violation of children`s rights during programs, projects or research by BtH must be reported to the Child Protection Committee who will respond to each case.

In the case that a collaborator or partner receives a report of violence or suspects violence of any form against the rights of the child, the case should be reported to the coordinators of the project who then report to the Child Protection Committee.

If the case of violation of rights is difficult to solve or requires immediate action to protect the child, the staff member should meet with the Child Protection Committee to discuss the appropriate measures to be taken.

There are scenarios in which cases of rights violations can be detected by those working with BtH, for example: if the child reports directly to the collaborator; the project collaborator detects signs and suspects that a violation is taking place; staff members detect a violation by a community member or a member of the project.

All of the cases should be reported to the Child Protection Committee which should try to understand what the violation is and report the case to the local Vertrouwenscentrum Kindermishandeling (Trust Centre Child Abuse).

Whenever there is suspicion of any form of violence or abuse, the staff member should report this immediately to the Child Protection Committee before undertaking any procedures with the child. The committee shall decide with the project team the best way to approach the child and make the necessary referrals.

In the case that the child reports directly to the staff member, it is important to clarify with the child that they will have to pass on this report to ensure that the child is aware of this and therefore will not feel betrayed that this was discussed with program staff and the committee. It is important that the procedures for reporting are explained sensitively to the child and that support from the Trust Centre Child Abuse is sought for these conversations with the child.

In the case that violence or abuse is directly observed against children in the community the staff member may intervene and inform the child of their right to report this to the police or to the Trust Centre Child Abuse if doing so does not increase risks to the child. If any form of risk is suspected, the collaborator can call the police anonymously to avoid or minimize harm.

In the case of observing non-compliance with the rules of the Child Protection Policy the collaborator or any employee can report the event anonymously by phone or by email direct to the project coordinator or the Child Protection Committee, and straight to the committee in the case that the event involves the project coordinator. Once having investigated the report, the committee will

report to BtH’s Executive Board and decide on the measures to be taken and depending on the severity of the act, whether this should be reported to public authorities.

4. ADMINISTRATION

Previous to employment, applicants will be vetted: this is a process that involves investigating an applicant’s background and qualifications prior to his or her employment. This process includes calling references and confirming previous employers. In addition to this, applicants will have to transmit an official attestation (an excerpt from the criminal record) which states that they have never been convicted or have never done any jail time.

All employees and staff are considered as those working in the organisation whether full-time, part- time or temporarily and including staff, consultants, researchers, volunteers, interns, directors and executive board members.

All employees have to ensure the implementation of the Child Protection Policy and:

1. Use of social networking only in order to facilitate communication between employees and participants of the programs and projects and only with those over the age of thirteen years of age. It is not allowed with children under this age. For this, an institutional (project) page can be created in order to facilitate communication between employees and participants and only those professionals working with BtH and who have signed the Child Protection Policy declaration are permitted to manage the page account.
2. Use communication solely with those participating in the project or program and at all times only as a group. All exchanges in communication must be public to the group. No private messaging between participants and employees can take place on social media.
3. Do not add any child as a “friend” on social media networks by an employee. For those in the community this should only happen if they have some link with the child over the age of thirteen prior to the project.
4. Do not establish any contact with children via email, telephone, social media networks outside the scope of the project or program.

5. MONITORING AND EVALUATION OF THE CHILD PROTECTION POLICY

The monitoring and evaluation of the Child Protection Policy, and its implementation will be the responsibility of the members of the Child Protection Committee. Committee members will meet periodically to evaluate all ongoing procedures for the implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the Child Protection Policy.

In addition, the Committee members will be available when needed to consult with BtH employees. The program staff will periodically review the Child Protection Policy based on analysis of empirical data on the internal practices of BtH and based on national and international modifications to regulations on the protection of children and adolescents.

6. DISSEMINATION OF THE CHILD PROTECTION POLICY

The Child Protection Committee is responsible for the dissemination of the Child Protection Policy and of what the benefits are to the institution of having this policy in place. The task of implementing the Child Protection Policy is a collective effort of all those employed by BtH, and particularly the responsibility of all those who work in programs or projects with child participants.

It is the responsibility of BtH to only engage in partnerships with organizations that adopt their own Child Protection Policy or who undergo training on BtH’s Child Protection Policy and commit to abide by the policy.

 

 

 

[1] EDUC8 Project was implemented in 9 schools in Belgium, Slovenia and Greece, and one youth organization in Finland, the totality of the target group below the age of 18. BtH was the coordinator of this project.

[2] Within the context of the MENTOR+ Project, which will be coordinated by BtH between 2022-2025, the partnership is expected to implement mentoring with 60 justice-involved youth.

 

Disclaimer

Beyond the Horizon ISSG (BtH) affirms the importance of the implementation of the Child Protection Policy in order to guarantee the rights of children and adolescents who participate in their programs, projects and research. With the introduction of the Child Protection Policy, BtH aims to ensure a safe and respectful environment and is committed to building a non-violent, self-reflective and egalitarian society.

Beyond the Horizon ISSG – 2022