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\ Butterflies Commitment to Safeguard
Children
Our values and principles
● The abuse and exploitation of children happens in all countries, societies and communities
across the world
● All child abuse involves the abuse of children's rights
● The situation of all children must be improved through promotion of their rights as set out in
the Constitution of India, laws of the land and the UN Convention
on the Rights of the
Child.This includes the right to freedom from abuse and exploitation
● Child abuse is never acceptable and a
commitment to children's rights in general also means
a commitment to safeguard the children with whom BUTTERFLIES is
in contact
Butterflies will meet its commitment to safeguard
children through the following means
 Awareness: Ensuring that all staff and others are aware of the
problem of child abuse and the risks to children.
Prevention: Ensuring, through awareness and good practice, that staff
and others minimize the risks to children.
Reporting: Ensuring that staff and others are clear what steps to
take where concerns arise regarding the safety of children.
Responding: Ensuring that action is
taken to support and protect children where concerns arise regarding
possible abuse.
 To ensure our actions reflect our commitment BUTTERFLIES will also ensure
that it:
● It takes seriously any
concerns raised
● It takes positive steps to
ensure the protection of children who are the subject of any concerns
● It supports children, staff
or other adults who raise concerns or who are the subject of concerns
● It acts appropriately and
effectively in instigating or co-operating with any subsequent process of
investigation
● It is guided through the
child protection process by the principle of 'best interests of the child'
● It listens to and takes
seriously the views and wishes of children
● It works in partnership with
parents/carers and/or other professionals to ensure the protection of children
All staff and all care givers of children who work with
BUTTERFLIES are bound
by a commitment to the letter and spirit of the Constitution of India, laws
of the
land and Articles of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child
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Dos |
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● Ensure participation of children in:
o decision making
o planning
o implementation
o evaluation
● Consult children
● Listen to children
● Respect children
● Maintain confidentiality
● Ensure an environment that is
comfortable and free which encourages a child to talk to you on all
issues
● Have a professional approach |
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Don'ts |
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● Abuse of any kind:
o physical (violence)
o emotional (verbal)
o sexual
o economic exploitation (where an adult personally benefits in any
form from the child)
o use of a child to do personal service / labour such as wash clothes or cook food, look after one's children
etc
While dealing with a child (a group of children) if the situation becomes
unbearable, just walk away and return after 10 minutes or seek assistance.
● Not to discuss personal
issues in front of children
● Not to use uncivil,
objectionable language even in informal conversation among yourselves
● Do not use children to score
a point/malign someone
● Not to be biased. Do not give
undue importance or be partial to any single child
● Do not introduce or promote
practices relating to social interaction and religion based on your own personal preferences, beliefs or values
● Not to encourage or motivate
any child/young person/group to take any action that will be detrimental to the organization and its image for your
personal
vendetta
● Not to encourage or motivate any child/young person/group to participate in any action that will lead to communal and caste division and/or to
indulge in communal, caste violence
● Do not misuse your
association with children for personal gains within the organization and
outside
● Communications between adults
and children on issues must not confuse or create a sense of insecurity
● Adult's
behaviour / actions / words should not create a negative impression of the
concerned person(s) and the organization perse |
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 Procedure for
reporting
Incase of any abuse observed outside the organization it must be reported immediately. The staff must report to her/his supervisor for immediate action and in a serious abuse it should be reported to the Administrator and Director. In case of abuse observed internally, the concerned staff must bring it to the notice of the supervisor for action and in a serious matter the Supervisor should bring it to the notice of the Administrator and
Director. Charges that are serious but not criminal in nature which needs an enquiry, an enquiry team internally will be constituted to look into the charge. The alleged accused will be given the opportunity to select one of the members of the enquiry team so that the enquiry is transparent and fair. In very serious charge of suspected Sexual Abuse or Trafficking of Children an independent enquiry committee will be constituted.
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