Evolving a child protection policy

CHENNAI: A child protection policy (CPP) articulates an organisation’s zero tolerance approach to child abuse. An important step towards achieving this objective would be for every institution which works with children to develop and adhere to a child protection policy with clear cut guidelines and protocols to provide a safe and conducive environment for children and for the adults with whom they interact.On the one hand it helps protect the staff of an organisation from allegations of abuse and gives them the confidence to know there is a system of redress in case an allegation is leveled. On the other, a CPP helps organisations be proactive in safeguarding children. This is especially significant as there is enough evidence, both anecdotal and research-based, to indicate offenders often target child-serving organisations due to the proximity and accessibility the work offers to children – a corollary to the fact that children are usually abused by people who are responsible for their well being and welfare and whom they trust.It is imperative, therefore, to acquaint NGOs with the concept of the need to have a policy. Since each organisation has its own  specificities with regard to structures and systems, they need to be assisted with evolving a policy suited to their uniqueness but within a framework of non-negotiables for reducing and managing the risk of child abuse by persons engaged in delivering the organisation’s programme.To this end Tulir – Centre for the Prevention and Healing of Child Sexual Abuse is organising a one-day seminar, ‘It Starts With Us’, on April 28, 2012 in the city.Venue and timing will be intimated after  registration on a first-come-first-served basis, with participation limited to 50 persons.