Introduction
africa aid project e.V. (aap) is committed to the rights of children and young people and to protecting them from violence, neglect and exploitation. In accordance with Article 3 of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, their best interests are central to our work. Institutional child protection – also known as child safeguarding – is therefore binding across our projects, events and partnerships.
The policy requires everyone working with or for aap to create a safe environment, accept responsibility, identify and reduce risks, report violations and inform children and young people about their rights and reporting options.
Scope
The policy applies to members, board and committee members, partner organisations, supporters, project visitors and anyone who comes into contact with children and young people or has access to their data through aap. It covers children and young people of all genders up to and including the age of 24.
aap recognises that girls and young women may face an increased risk of sexualised and gender-based violence. Unequal treatment, discrimination and exclusion are not tolerated.
Statement of principle
We are fully committed to gender-sensitive protection from every form of violence. No person or organisation working with us, for us or on our behalf may harm, abuse or exploit children or young people or expose them to avoidable risks. We promote age-appropriate and safe environments, support young people’s participation in their own protection and take firm action against anyone who poses a risk.
Responsibilities
- Create a respectful, supportive and safe environment.
- Never act violently or behave in a way that increases risk.
- Understand and apply the standards relevant to the role and report violations immediately.
- Ensure that partner organisations with access to children, young people or their data formally accept the safeguarding standards.
Code of conduct
As a member, volunteer, project visitor or other person acting for aap, I agree to:
- deal openly, honestly and respectfully with children, young people, families and communities;
- respect all applicable international and national rights;
- respect rights, integrity, dignity and best interests regardless of age, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, nationality, origin, skin colour, language, religion, political belief, marital status, disability, health, family, socio-economic position or cultural background;
- create an environment that prevents violence, neglect and exploitation and actively minimise risks in my own behaviour;
- empower children and young people according to their age and maturity and provide clear information on safeguarding rights and reporting procedures;
- never exploit power imbalances and respect caregivers’ responsibilities unless a child’s welfare is endangered;
- obtain prior consent from the responsible aap representative, the young person and their caregiver before taking photographs, video or audio, explain the purpose and use, and respect a refusal without disadvantage;
- use only respectful material that protects dignity, privacy and safety and does not unnecessarily identify or locate a person;
- never publish material involving minors or young project participants on private websites or social media without explicit approval from aap;
- report concerns, suspicions, incidents or allegations immediately and cooperate confidentially with investigations;
- disclose relevant charges, convictions or other criminal consequences relating to violence, neglect, exploitation or abuse.
Prohibited conduct
It is specifically prohibited to:
- abuse, neglect or exploit a child or young person, including harmful practices such as female genital mutilation, forced marriage or child marriage;
- engage in sexual activity or a physical or sexual relationship with anyone under 18; a mistaken belief about age is not a defence;
- enter into sexual relationships with 18- to 24-year-old participants where a dependency or power imbalance exists;
- involve young people in sexual activity in exchange for money, employment, goods, services or other benefits;
- touch, hold, kiss or embrace a child or young person in an inappropriate or culturally insensitive way;
- use corporal punishment, threats or physical violence;
- allow a child or young person known through aap to stay at a private residence, or share a bed or room without a compelling safeguarding reason;
- perform intimate or personal tasks that the person can perform independently;
- spend time alone without a justified reason; the four-eyes principle and publicly visible settings should be used;
- exchange private contact details or communicate outside approved channels;
- discriminate, favour, shame, humiliate or use offensive, sexually provocative or culturally inappropriate language;
- condone or participate in illegal, unsafe, harmful or exploitative behaviour.
Private conduct
The list is not exhaustive. Conduct outside direct association activities must not undermine the rights and protection of children and young people. Serious conduct may be treated as a breach of membership or cooperation obligations.
Responding to safeguarding cases
Concerns and violations must be reported immediately and confidentially to the Child Protection Officer or the Board. Reports are documented and assessed as a priority and, where necessary, investigated internally, externally or with the competent authorities. Incidents in Germany may additionally require the reporting procedure of the local Youth Welfare Office; incidents in project countries follow applicable local procedures with the local representative or project partner.
Information is shared strictly on a need-to-know basis. Until facts are established, the matter is described as an allegation or suspicion. Good-faith reports must not disadvantage the reporting person. Knowingly false or malicious allegations may have consequences under association rules, employment law or criminal law.
Data protection
Personal data of children and young people is confidential. Access is restricted to authorised persons. Personal contact details are not exchanged without explicit approval. Storage and deletion follow applicable data-protection law.
Definitions
- Exploitation
- Includes labour exploitation, exploitation for criminal activity, commercial sexual exploitation, forced begging, trafficking, forced marriage and organ trafficking.
- Violence
- Includes physical, psychological, sexualised and digital violence, maltreatment, harassment and failure to take necessary protective action.
- Child
- Any person under the age of 18.
- Young people
- People aged 15 to 24; young adults may remain particularly vulnerable because of dependency and power imbalances.
- Safeguarding
- Preventive and responsive action to ensure that no person is harmed through their association with aap and that concerns are handled appropriately.
- Neglect
- Failure to provide necessary care, developmental support or protection, with possible physical or psychological consequences.
Entry into force and original document
The policy entered into force on 1 February 2024 and was signed for the Board by Carsten Riedel, Second Chairperson.