Child protection policy 2017 haq

1. HAQ: CENTRE FOR CHILD RIGHTS
CHILD PROTECTION POLICY
HAQ: Centre for Child Rights works towards the recognition, promotion and protection of rights
of all children. It aims to look at the child in an integrated manner within the framework of the
Constitution of India, and the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, which India ratified in
1992, and contribute to the building of an environment where every child’s rights are
recognized and protected without discrimination.
Recognising the importance of safety and protection of all children, recognised and
guaranteed in the Constitution of India to all children to ensure equality, and non-
discrimination on basis of gender, (dis) ability, age. religion, ethnicity etc, and the UN vide
its UN Convention on Rights of the Child (1989) proclaimed via article 19 that:
“State parties shall take all appropriate legislative, administrative, social and educational
measures to protect the child from all forms of physical or mental violence, injury or
abuse, neglect or negligent treatment, maltreatment or exploitation, including sexual
abuse, while in the care of parent(s), legal guardian(s) or any other person who has the
care of the child.”
Further, Clause 2.2 of the preamble of National Policy for Children, 2012 states that,
“all children have equal rights irrespective of place of birth, sex, religion, caste,
class, language, and disability, social economic, or any other status;
All children have the right to a loving family, a dignified life free from exploitation
and that families are to be supported by a strong social safety net in caring for and
nurturing their children
Safety and security of all children is integral to their well-being and children are
to be protected from all forms of harm, abuse, neglect, violence, maltreatment and
exploitation”
In recognition of the need to protect rights of all children in all locations and all the times,
HAQ’s child protection policy aims to ensure that the HAQ team{including consultants,
employees (temporary or permanent), outsourced staff, contract staff, interns, volunteers,
support staff, vendors etc.} follows certain norms and ethical guidelines which ensure that they
do not violate child rights, or are party to any such act which indicates exploitation and

2. violation of child rights. This applies to all persons who are directly or indirectly employed by
HAQ as well as to all those who are contracted by HAQ to provide services as consultants,
partner organizations, interns, volunteers and vendors. HAQ’s Child Protection Policy applies to
the members of HAQ Team ( as mentioned above) during their interaction/services to children
within HAQ’s premises or anywhere outside in the course of their duties assigned by HAQ.
HAQ: Centre for Child Rights expects its staff member, partner organisations, volunteers,
interns, consultants, visitors and vendors (hereinafter referred as HAQ Staff and other
stakeholders) to treat children with respect and ensure their dignity. The said principle would
extend to all the children who are associated with the work of the organisation as well as
children within the personal lives of the individuals.
This policy is a testimony HAQ’s commitment to all of children and is based on the principles
of:
 best Interest of the child
 non-discrimination
 right of every child to be heard in matters that concern them.
It is also based on HAQ’s commitment to undertake special measures for especially vulnerable
children based on age , (dis) ability, gender, geographical location, ethnicity, religion and socio-
economic status to ensure that they are not further marginalised or unprotected.
All HAQ staff and other stakeholders must abide by the organisation’s Child Safety and Ethical
Guidelines as listed below:
I. Child Protection Policy Framework
Child Protection Policy is the principal guiding document to safeguard the rights of the children,
especially their rights of protection and participation. The Protection Policy guides all those who
are directly or indirectly associated with HAQ in any manner whatsoever. The Child Protection
Policy aims at creating and enabling a protective and child-friendly environment during the
course of its actions. It also directs the caregivers employed by HAQ to ensure prevention of
exploitation of child rights, reporting incidences of such violations and providing the maximum
standard of care.
II. Who does it apply to?
1. All HAQ staff and other Stakeholders
2. Outsourced agencies including Vendors, Sellers and other local personals working with HAQ
and provide their services to the Organisation.
3. External people visiting the Organization (HAQ) and/or being associated with the
organisation even for the shortest period of time.

3. III. Framework of Child Protection Policy
This Child Protection Policy acknowledges and imbibes the principles laid down under various
national as well as international instruments for safeguarding the rights of the children. There
are following national and international instruments which guide the well-being and protection
of children:
 The United Nations Convention on the rights of the Child (UNCRC)
 The Constitution of India
 National Policy for Children, 2016
 National Plan of Action for Children, 2005
 Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015
 Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006
 Child and Adolescent Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, 2016
 Protection of Children from Sexual Offenses Act, 2012 (POCSO)
 Various penal provisions laid down under the Indian Penal Code, 1860
 Provisions laid down under the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973
IV. Further, the child protection policy also mandates that HAQ Staff and other
stakeholders must never:
 Hit or otherwise physically assault or abuse children.
 Use overt or covert sexual (physical or verbal) behaviourism or language and in any
way develop an intimate physical/sexual relationship with children.
 Act in ways that may be abusive or knowingly place a child at risk.
 Act in ways intended to shame, humiliate, belittle or degrade children, or otherwise
perpetrate any form of emotional abuse.
 Use language, gestures or make suggestions that are inappropriate, offensive or
abusive.
 Discriminate against, show differential treatment towards, or favor particular
children to the exclusion of others.
V. The Child Protection Policy also lays down certain guidelines which are mandatory for
HAQ Staff and other stakeholders who are in direct one-to- one contact with children,
shall-
 Report any concerns of child abuse associated with HAQ work or within the personal
lives of individuals.
 Empower children and discuss with them their rights, what is acceptable and
unacceptable, and what they can do if there is a problem.
 Talk to children about their contact with staff or others and encourage them to raise
any concerns (if any).

4.  Ensure that a sense of accountability exists amongst staffs so that poor practice or
potentially abusive behaviour does not go unchallenged.
 Pictures, materials and personal information regarding children should be held in a
secure place, whether physical or online.
 Consent of children and their parent/guardian must be obtained for using their
photographs in the publication of reports, documents or any IEC materials.
 Uphold privacy of the child by not disclosing the identity of the child to anyone who
may put the child at risk
 Uphold privacy of the child by not disclosing the identity of a child to media
 Maintain confidentiality of fact shared by the child during interaction unless it is not
in the interest of the child or it might put the child at a risk.
 One should not be judgemental or blame a child.
 Never let allegations or concerns raised by a child go unnoticed, unreported or
unrecorded.
 No associations beyond the scope of one’s work/duty should be established with any
child.
 One should be very cautious about body language, gestures or actions while
interacting with a child so as to ensure that the child does not feel uncomfortable,
hesitant or abused during an interaction.
 No false promises should be made towards providing anything beyond the office
policy/organisational mandate.
 Refrain from the recording of interviews of children or their family members in any
form and taking photographs without explaining the purpose of the interview and
obtaining their written consent. In the case of minors, consent of parent/guardian is
essential unless it is against the child’s best interest. In that case reasons for not
taking the consent of parent/guardian must be clearly stated in the document where
the child’s consent is obtained.
VI. Establishment of the Committee and incorporating the policy
A Child Protection Committee will be formed which will inquire into any child rights
violation that may take place by HAQ staff or other stakeholders during the course of
their action within or outside the premises of HAQ.
 The committee shall consist of three members of which at least 2 have to be women.
 All staff and others have to sign the Child Protection Policy of the organization and
thereby abide by it.
 Induction of all new staff, volunteers/interns at HAQ will include a briefing on child
protection issues.
5. Mechanism to Address any Reported Cases of Violation of the Child Protection Policy

5.  Proper systems will be established by the Child Protection Committee to investigate
possible abuse once reported and thus to deal with such cases.
 The Committee on receiving a complaint will meet within two to three days depending
upon the availability of the members. The Committee has the power to summon people
involved in the case or whoever else has information related to the alleged incident.
 However, the committee can reach a decision in absentia if the accused refuses to
participate or co-operate during the inquiry.
 The Committee shall forward its decision/recommendations to the Organisation within
a period of 30 days from the date of receipt of complaint.
 The Committee can call upon an external person for conducting the inquiry.
 Based on the report of the inquiry actions will be taken against the perpetrator.
 The recommended action can range from a verbal warning to requiring the accused to
undergo counselling, to deduction from salary or wages of the accused (respondent)
such sum as to be the compensation to be paid to the victim or legal heirs and even to
expulsion from HAQ.
 If any act by staff or others amounts to a criminal act under the Indian Penal Code, 1860
or any other law for the time being in force, the committee shall initiate the process of
complaining/registering a FIR with the concerned police station.