Guidelines for the protection of children and young people

BOOKS FOR CHANGE has binding regulations. These guidelines for the protection of children and young people are an integral part of every personnel and project contract. By signing the contract, it is confirmed that the guidelines have been taken note of and are considered binding. Compliance with the guidelines is regularly checked during project visits.

introduction

In Switzerland, BOOKS FOR CHANGE is registered as a charitable association under Swiss law (ZGB, Article 60ff).

BOOKS FOR CHANGE was founded in 2016 with the belief that every child deserves a quality education. Our model focuses on change within schools in low-income communities during two time periods that are most critical to a child's schooling: early elementary school for literacy acquisition and secondary school for girls' education.

We envision a world where all children receive a quality education. This enables them to reach their full potential and make their own contribution to their community and to the world at large.

With these child protection guidelines, we are raising awareness of the importance of proactive child and youth protection and setting standards that are intended to prevent any abuse of children and youth.

basis

The guidelines are based on the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (adopted by the UN General Assembly in 1989) and the two optional protocols that prohibit child trafficking, child pornography and child prostitution, as well as the participation of children in armed conflicts.

definition

Abuse within the meaning of these guidelines occurs when children or young people under the age of 18 are physically or otherwise harmed. The term abuse includes both physical and emotional abuse, instances of neglect and sexual assault.

Individual rules of conduct

In terms of effective prevention and self-protection, BOOKS FOR CHANGE and its partner organizations are committed to

• To always treat children and young people with respect and to refrain from any form of discrimination.
• Not to hit, physically harm or abuse children and young people.
• Not to belittle, humiliate, shame, degrade or otherwise emotionally abuse children and young people.
• Refrain from sexual acts or behavior, including sexually suggestive language and gestures, towards children and young people.
• Refrain from relationships with children and young people that are in any way exploitative or abusive.
• It is essential to ensure that the privacy of children and young people is protected, especially in areas such as changing rooms, showers or toilets. Furthermore, help with personal hygiene or with dressing and undressing is to be avoided if the person to be cared for is able to do this independently.
• To ensure that employees and agents respect the dignity of children and young people when making films or photographs. If they refuse to be photographed or filmed, this must be respected.
• Not to bring children and young people into contact with alcohol or other mind-altering substances (drugs).
• Immediately report any reasonable suspicion of misuse to the supervisor.

scope

The guidelines for the protection of children and young people are an integral part of every personnel and project contract with BOOKS FOR CHANGE. By signing the contract, it is confirmed that the guidelines have been taken note of and are considered binding.

The abuse of children and young people is a serious misconduct. If this is committed by an employee of BOOKS FOR CHANGE, this will lead to the termination of the employment relationship and, if necessary, to the initiation of further legal action.

During project visits, BOOKS FOR CHANGE checks whether its partner organizations are implementing the child and youth protection measures in accordance with the BOOKS FOR CHANGE code of conduct and whether they are adhering to the established child and youth protection rules.

BOOKS FOR CHANGE reserves the right to suspend payments due to its partner organizations that violate the guidelines and to end the cooperation.

Lucerne, 2022