Safeguarding Policy

 

1. Introduction

Diyarouna Association, established in 2016 is a voluntary organisation based in Lebanon (Al-Burj El-Shemali- Tyre) providing a range of services to women and young people to become leaders to affect change for the advancement of communities living in refugee camps and marginalised areas. Our interventions and projects have been developed through our work with young people in social, cultural and media fields. Diyarouna Association provides activities to enable young people to understand their rights, responsibilities and acquire leadership skills to motivate the communities we work with to bring about change that improves their well-being in all aspects of their lives.

2. Policy Statement

 

Safeguarding is an important priority at Diyarouna. We believe that everyone we come into contact with, regardless of age, gender identity, disability, sexual orientation, or ethnic origin has the right to be protected from all forms of harm, abuse, neglect, and exploitation. Diyarouna will not tolerate any form of abuse and exploitation by staff or associated personnel.

 

Our Safeguarding Policy puts the protection of the communities we support and the people that work with us at the centre of all we do.

3. Contact Us

To contact Diyarouna regarding any of the information in this document or to report a safeguarding concern please contact: Suzanne Habbus info@diyarouna.org.

 

4. Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to protect people, particularly children, vulnerable adults and beneficiaries of assistance, from any harm that may be caused due to their coming into contact with Diyarouna. This includes harm arising from:

• The conduct of staff or personnel associated with Diyarouna
• The design and implementation of Diyarouna’s programmes and activities

The policy lays out the commitments made by Diyarouna, and informs staff and associated personnel of their responsibilities in relation to safeguarding.

Concerns reported about harassment and bullying between staff and volunteers are managed through our Human Resources policies

5. What is safeguarding

Safeguarding is taking all reasonable steps to prevent harm, particularly sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment from occurring; to protect people, children and vulnerable adults, from that harm; and to respond appropriately when harm does occur.

 

Diyarouna commits to having robust, accountable, and transparent systems for prevention, protection, response and learning when safeguarding risks materialise. Those systems include a duty to all actors to report incidents, allegations, and concerns, and to adopt a survivor centred approach^[1] to the alleged victim and a duty of care to the alleged perpetrator.

Further definitions relating to safeguarding are provided in the glossary below.

6. Scope

Diyarouna’s Safeguarding Policy applies to all staff, and associated personnel whilst engaged with work or visits, including but not limited to the following: consultants; volunteers; contractors; programme visitors including journalists, celebrities and politicians

7. Prevention

Safer recruitment is an integral part of Diyarouna’s commitment to build an organisational culture wherein the safety and wellbeing of everyone involved is paramount. Diyarouna Association is fully committed to the selection and vetting of potential new staff and volunteers and will implement stringent safeguarding procedures reflecting all local requirements when recruiting, managing and deploying staff and associated personnel.

 

No member of staff or other representative may undertake activities that involve access to children or vulnerable adults without supervision unless and until an appropriate background check (which may include a criminal record check, as appropriate) has been completed with satisfactory results.

Diyarouna will ensure staff receive training on safeguarding at a level commensurate with their role in the organization and all associated personnel have access to, are familiar with, and know their responsibilities within this policy.

Where Diyarouna becomes aware that any current staff member/volunteer may pose a risk to children and/or adults at high risk we will comply with the legislation and relevant guidance in respect of referring that representative to the relevant authorities if appropriate.

8. Code of conduct

Diyarouna’s Code of Conduct describes the ethics and behaviour required of all stakeholders to ensure a robust safeguarding environment. It is designed to create a culture of best practice in keeping beneficiaries and staff and associated personnel safe. All staff members, and all those who act on our behalf, as well as visitors will read and sign the Code of Conduct and are expected to adhere to its values and minimum standards. Breaches of the Code of Conduct are grounds for disciplinary action, up to and including dismissal.

9. Safe programming

Diyarouna  will design and undertake all its programmes and activities in a way that protects people from any risk of harm that may arise from their coming into contact with us. This includes the way in which information about individuals in our programmes is gathered, stored and communicated.

Diyarouna will develop accessible and user-friendly safeguarding information for our service users and beneficiaries. This will include posters on our premises, leaflets and information on our website and social media.

10. Protection – Enabling reports

 

Diyarouna will ensure that safe, appropriate, accessible means of reporting safeguarding concerns are made available to staff and the communities we work with. We will also accept complaints from external sources such as members of the public, partners, and official bodies.

 

How to report a safeguarding concern?

 

Staff members who have a complaint or concern relating to safeguarding should report it immediately to their safeguarding lead, line manager, or to another senior manager within the organisation. External reports can be made via info@diyarouna.org

 

No concern is too small. If you are unsure whether a situation constitutes a safeguarding concern, and if you are based in a field office you are encouraged to contact your manager as soon as possible. Your concern will be treated with respect and dealt with professionally. You can speak to the safeguarding contact person via email info@diyarouna.org or telephone (+961-76928790). If the Safeguarding contact person is unavailable or your concern relates to the Safeguarding contact person, you can report you concern to the safeguarding lead board member.

If you have witnessed an incident, you may be asked to document the details in a written report. A template is provided to facilitate this in. (https://forms.gle/ebofTtpVaqC5NPm96). If you are not able to do this, the Safeguarding contact person or the Safeguarding Lead Director (as applicable) will make sure that all discussions and actions are documented.

Safeguarding concerns may arise from recognition of potential signs of abuse, suspicion of harmful behaviours, and direct disclosure by a survivor. The following guidelines for responding to disclosures should be followed.

11. Responding to a disclosure

• Listen carefully to the person who is making the disclosure.
• Reassure the person they have done the right thing by speaking with you.
• Say you will take them seriously.
• Stay calm and open-minded about the information being disclosed.
• Never promise confidentiality.
• Do not ask leading questions.
• Do not stop the child/adult who is speaking freely
• Do not delay in reporting.
• Record the information as soon as possible.

The reporting of suspected or actual abuse is a professional obligation. Failure to report information can lead to disciplinary action or dismissal. In any cases of suspicion of a safeguarding issue the person to whom it has been reported must immediately inform the Safeguarding Lead.

12. Response

Diyourana will take all reports of safeguarding concerns seriously and follow them up promptly, reflecting our safeguarding policy and procedure, and national legal and statutory requirements. Diyarouna aims to respond within 48 hours of the concern being filed. Allegations of inappropriate behaviour between Diyarouna’s staff will be managed through our human resource management and safeguarding processes. Safeguarding reports about beneficiaries from community members will be managed through local protection mechanisms.

All staff and partners and beneficiaries shall receive additional support, guidance, and supervision during or following an incident or allegation. If you have any questions on how we manage safeguarding at Diyarouna or have any current concerns personally or on behalf of someone else, do reach out toSuzanne Habbus, Phone: +961-76928790, Email: info@diyarouna.org . Any correspondence will be treated as confidential.

Confidentiality

It is essential that confidentiality in maintained at all stages of the process when dealing with safeguarding concerns. Information relating to the concern and subsequent case management should be shared on a need-to-know basis only and should be kept secure at all times.

Recording

Diyarouna will ensure that all safeguarding concerns and incident reports are recorded and stored in a secure place with password protected access for approved staff.

Whistleblowing

 

Diyarouna’s Whistleblowing Policy provides a process whereby the concerns of staff can be raised and resolved at the appropriate level. The policy elaborates a clear process that is widely understood and accessible to all staff, for dealing with concerns and a handling framework with identified owners of each step. The policy is explicit that there can be no reprisals for the whistle-blower where concerns are reported in good faith and without malice. It identifies a clear process to follow if the concern is being raised against an individual in the organisation who manages internal complaints or concerns.

Media and Communications

 

As part of our duty of care to children and vulnerable adults, Diyarouna will always put their needs first. We recognise our responsibility to the children or vulnerable adults who are portrayed in any of the images or communications used and will always strive to represent them positively and not as passive victims. We understand that all our beneficiaries must be represented as individuals with agency and identity.

 

Consent must be given by all contributors prior to the collection of images. Consent must be provided by the parent or guardian for children under the age of 18. Likewise, for an adult who lacks the capacity to provide informed consent, a family member must give consent on their behalf. There is no scenario where taking an image is more important than the safety and wellbeing of the person involved. The quality of consent obtained is essential. For instance, if a person is concerned about the impact of being photographed, then we will not take their photo. Likewise, if there is a real or perceived imbalance of power between photographer and the person being photographed, gaining true consent may not be possible. Absolutely no payments or any other form of compensation are to be provided to any person being photographed in exchange for an image or to encourage consent.

 

We understand that in the age of the internet, images can be shared widely beyond their original intent of use. Consequently, we work hard to ensure that individuals who have their images taken in relation to our work have clear pathways for contacting us and that options to withdraw consent remain open, without a time limit. The names of children will always be changed to protect their identity. No images of children or vulnerable will be used which are degrading or sexually provocative or where children or adults at risk are partially clothed or naked. No photographs should be manipulated or taken out of context.

 

Diyarouna will ensure that any image or recorded case study history of a child or vulnerable adult does not place them in a position of harm or render them vulnerable to any form of exploitation or abuse. In particular, it is vital we do not use their real name and other information that could lead to a child or vulnerable adult being identified or tracked.

 

All social media and case studies generated by Diyarouna will be subject to the same safeguarding guidelines as outlined in this policy. Information about a child/children or vulnerable adult’s life and any images of children or adults at risk will be kept confidential in secure files. Access to images will be limited to those that need them during the course of their work.

Review

 

The Safeguarding Policy will be reviewed at least annually.

March 2022

 

 

 

Glossary of Terms

 

At risk adult: Sometimes also referred to as vulnerable adult. A person who is or may need care by reason of mental or other disability, age, or illness; and who is or may be unable to take care of him or herself, or unable to protect him or herself against significant harm or exploitation.

 

Beneficiary of Assistance: Someone who directly receives goods or services from our programme. Note that misuse of power can also apply to the wider community that we serve, and also can include exploitation by giving the perception of being in a position of power.

 

Child: A person below the age of 18

 

Child exploitation: Refers to the use of children for someone else’s advantage, gratification or profit often resulting in unjust, cruel, and harmful treatment of the child. These activities are to the detriment of the child’s physical or mental health, education, moral or social-emotional development. It includes situations of manipulation, misuse, abuse, victimization, oppression, or ill-treatment.

 

Child maltreatment: The abuse and neglect that occurs to children under 18 years of age. It includes all types of physical and/or emotional ill-treatment, sexual abuse, neglect, negligence and commercial or other exploitation, which results in actual or potential harm to the child’s health, survival, development, or dignity in the context of a relationship of responsibility, trust, or power.

 

Harm: Psychological, physical and any other infringement of an individual’s rights.

 

Psychological harm: Emotional or psychological abuse, including (but not limited to) humiliating and degrading treatment such as bad name calling, constant criticism, belittling, persistent shaming, solitary confinement, and isolation.

 

Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA): The term used by the humanitarian and development community to refer to the prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse of affected populations by staff or associated personnel. The term derives from the United Nations Secretary General’s Bulletin on Special Measures for Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse.

 

Sexual abuse: The term ‘sexual abuse’ means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions.

 

Sexual exploitation: The term ‘sexual exploitation’ means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially, or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. This definition incudes human trafficking and modern slavery.

Survivor: The person who has been abused or exploited. The term ‘survivor’ is often used in preference to ‘victim’ as it implies strength, resilience, and the capacity to survive, however it is the individual’s choice how they wish to identify themselves.

 

Vulnerable Adult: Vulnerable adults are defined as people who are unable to take care of protecting themselves against harm or exploitation for any reason. When safeguarding adults, this involves reducing and preventing the risk of harm, neglect, or abuse alongside supporting them to maintain their own lives. While most would consider vulnerable adults to be those who lack capacity, adults with full capacity can also be considered as vulnerable as well. This is when they are unable to take care or protect themselves from harm.