At the Empowering Children
Foundation, we are guided by the good of the child and their best interests. In
line with our vision, mission and core values, we are actively involved in
activities that strengthen children's safety, especially in the context of
protection against violence, and in protecting and promoting their rights. We
also make sure that our cooperation with entities and people outside the
Foundation is also based on the same values.
The general principles and standards are set out in our internal Child Protection Policy. A shortened version is available at fdds.pl website, and the full version is available at the Foundation’s Office. The following provisions constitute part of the principles of the Policy.
Rules of cooperation
The Party declares that it is aware of the rights of children, contained in particular in the Convention on the Rights of the Child, adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on November 20, 1989 (Journal of Laws of 1991, No. 120, item 526), and its activities do not violate these rights, e.g. by illegally employing children or financing war activities that threaten the safety of children. The website undertakes to respect children's rights in its activities throughout the period of cooperation with the Foundation.
In particular, the Party undertakes to comply with the following principles regarding the protection of the ECF beneficiaries against sexual exploitation and abuse.
Six basic principles for preventing sexual exploitation and abuse of children and their guardians
1. Exploitation and sexual abuse on the part of the ECF employees and associates constitute acts of gross misconduct and therefore it constitutes grounds for termination of the employment relationship/cooperation agreement.
2. Sexual activity with children (persons under 18 years of age) participating in any activities of the ECF (i.e. direct assistance, education, research, educational and recreational events and others) is prohibited. A misconception about a child's age is not a mitigating factor.
3. Offering money, employment, goods or services in exchange for sex, including sexual favours or other forms of humiliating, degrading or exploitative conduct, is prohibited. This also includes the granting of assistance that is due to beneficiaries, regardless of their age.
4. In the case of providing assistance, including humanitarian aid, all sexual relations between persons providing assistance and beneficiaries are prohibited, regardless of the age of the beneficiaries. Such relationships undermine the credibility and integrity of aid efforts, including humanitarian assistance, and involve the misuse of rank or position.
5. If an employee/collaborator of FDDS or a partner company/organization implementing the project in cooperation with the ECF has concerns or suspicions about sexual exploitation or sexual exploitation of a project beneficiary by a co-worker, regardless of whether he or she works in the same organization/company or not, must report such concerns to the person responsible for the Child Protection Policy at FDDS: renata.szredzinska@fdds.pl.
6. The ECF employees and collaborators are obliged to create and maintain an environment that prevents abuse of children, including exploitation and sexual abuse of children, as well as other beneficiaries of assistance/activities, and promotes the implementation of the code of safe relationships in this regard. Managers at all levels have a special responsibility to support and develop the systems that maintain this environment.
About The Empowering Children Foundation:
The Empowering Children Foundation (formerly Nobody's Children Foundation) strives to ensure that all children have a safe childhood and are treated with respect for their dignity and subjectivity. It protects children from abuse and helps those who have experienced violence to know their rights, believe in themselves and enjoy life. It supports parents and guardians on their path to good parenting, as well as professionals who work with children on a daily basis. All the Foundation's activities have one thing in common: empowering children and giving them strength - every day.
fdds.pl facebook.com/dajemydzieciomsile