Sea Beyond Me (Blue Zone Trader Ltd) (hereafter referred to as “Sea Beyond Me”) is committed to uphold children’s rights as stated in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC), including the rights to freedom and protection from violence, abuse and exploitation. We also recognise that we have a duty to promote and safeguard children and young people and particularly those with whom we work or regularly come in contact with. All our employees, volunteers, partners and associates adhere to this Child Safeguarding Policy.
SAFEGUARDING CODE OF CONDUCT
Sea Beyond Me works to create a safe environment for children and young people.
All staff and volunteers have a duty to uphold the principles of the Global Policy on Safeguarding Children and Young People and commit to maintaining an environment that prevents violence against children and young people.
Further to this, sexual exploitation and abuse by staff, volunteers, associates and any other service providers constitutes acts of gross misconduct and is therefore grounds for termination of employment, service contract or partnership.
As such, I agree that I will:
A. Adhere to the Global Policy on Safeguarding Children and Young People and be open and honest in my dealings with children and young people, their families, and communities participating in programmes, projects, processes, events, and activities linked with Sea Beyond Me.
B. Treat children and young people in a manner which is respectful of their rights, integrity, and dignity and considers their best interests regardless of age, sex, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, nationality, ethnic origin, colour, race, language, religious or political beliefs, marital status, disability, physical or mental health, family, socio-economic or cultural background, class, or any history of conflict with the law.
C. Create and maintain an environment which prevents the abuse and exploitation of children and young people ensuring that I am aware of potential risks with regards to my conduct and work, and take appropriate action so as to minimise risks to children and young people.
D. Contribute to building an environment where children and young people we engage with are:
i. respected and empowered to participate in and discuss decision making and interventions into their safeguarding in accordance with their age, maturity and evolving capacities; and
ii. well informed on their safeguarding and protection rights and what to do if they have a concern.
E. Display high standards of professional behaviour at all times, providing a positive role model for children and young people.
F. Comply with all relevant international standards and local legislation in relation to child labour, and refrain from using children and young people aged below 18 years for domestic or other labour, if such work is inappropriate, exploitative or harmful given their age or developmental capacity, which interferes with their time available for education and recreational activities, or which places them at significant risk of injury, exploitation, or violence. In addition, I understand that I must not use children and young people of any age that we work with for domestic or other labour.
G. Respect the privacy and confidentiality of children and young people associated with Sea Beyond Me. This means I will:
・ Never ask for or accept personal contact details or invitations to share personal contact details (this includes email, phone numbers, social media contacts, address, webcam) from any child or family associated or formerly associated with our work or share my own personal contact details with such individuals except where this has been explicitly authorized by Sea Beyond Me and/or for Sea Beyond Me Humanitarian service purposes.
・ Always ensure that when on an official or work visit with Sea Beyond Me and I wish to take pictures of children and young people associated with the organisation, for personal use, I will:
・ Always consult first with the local Sea Beyond Me staff onsite so as to make sure that it is permitted to take photographs in the local context and that the intended use of the photographs does not conflict with Sea Beyond Me’s policies.
・ Ask permission of the child or young person (or in the case of young children, their parent or guardian) informing them of the specific purpose(s) and intended use (including how and where) and respect their decision to say no making it clear that there will be absolutely no negative repercussions from denying such consent.
・ Ensure the images are respectful and do not impact negatively on their dignity and privacy.
・ Ensure that the use of the images does not put the child or young person at risk of being identified or located.
・ Never upload the images of children and young people associated with Sea Beyond Me to social media pages not related to Sea Beyond Me without the full and explicit consent of Sea Beyond Me.
H. Report and respond to any concerns, suspicions, incidents or allegations of actual or potential abuse to a child or young person in accordance with applicable procedures of the engaging office.
I. Cooperate fully and confidentially in any Sea Beyond Me investigation of concerns or allegations of abuse to children and young people.
J. Immediately disclose all charges, convictions, and other outcomes of an offence, which occurred before or occurs during association with Sea Beyond Me that relate to exploitation and abuse of a child or young person.
I will not:
A. Abuse or exploit a child or young person or behave in any way that places a child or young person at risk of harm, including through harmful traditional practices such as, for example, Female Genital Mutilation, forced or child marriage.
B. Engage in any form of sexual activity or develop physical/sexual relationships with anyone under the age of 18 regardless of the age of consent locally. Mistaken belief in the age of a child is not a defence
C. Engage in sexual relationships with Sea Beyond Me youth direct beneficiaries aged 18 to 24 years as these undermine the credibility and integrity of Sea Beyond Me’s work and are based on inherently unequal power dynamics
D. Use physical punishment/discipline or use of physical force of any kind towards children and young people.
E. Engage young people in any form of sexual activity which involves the exchange money, employment, goods, or services for sex, including sexual favours or other forms of humiliating, degrading or exploitative behaviour. This includes exchange of assistance that is due to beneficiaries
F. Use language or behave towards a child or young person in a way that is inappropriate, offensive, abusive, sexually provocative, demeaning or culturally inappropriate.
G. Fondle, hold, kiss, hug or touch children or young people in an inappropriate or culturally insensitive way.
H. Have a child/children/young person with whom I am in contact in a work related context, stay overnight at my home or any other personal residential location or accommodation.
I. Sleep in the same room or bed as a child or young person with whom I am in contact in a work related context. Where it is necessary to sleep close to unaccompanied children and young people, I will make sure that another adult is present and it is in line with authorised procedures.
J. Do things of a personal nature for children or young person, with whom I am in contact in a work related context, (e.g. taking a child/young person to the toilet/bathroom; helping them get un/dressed etc.) that they can do for themselves.
K. Spend time alone away from others with children and young people with whom I am in contact in a work related context; I will always make sure that another adult is with me and/or I am with the child/young person in an open public place, where others are around and in plain view of others.
L. Hit or otherwise physically assault or physically abuse children or young people.
M. Act in ways that shame, humiliate, belittle or degrade children and young people, or otherwise perpetrate any form of emotional abuse.
N. Discriminate against, show differential or preferential to, or favour particular children and young people to the detriment of them or others.
O. Develop relationships with, engage in any practice with or develop behaviour towards children and young people which could in any way be deemed or interpreted as exploitive or abusive.
P. Condone or participate in behaviour of children or young people which is illegal, unsafe, or abusive.
Q. Use any computers, mobile phones, video and digital cameras, or any such medium to exploit, harass or bully children or young people.
R. Use computers, mobile phones, or video/digital cameras or other electronic devices, to access, view, create, download, or distribute pornography, especially abusive images of children or young people
The above is not an exhaustive list. Staff, Volunteers, Associates, and Visitors should consider all related actions and behavior which may compromise the rights and safeguarding of children and young people.
Personal Conduct outside Work or Engagement with Us
We do not dictate the belief and value systems by which Staff, Volunteers, Associates, and Visitors conduct their personal lives. However, actions taken by them out of working hours that are seen to contradict this policy will be considered a violation of the policy.
Our Staff, Managers, Volunteers, Associates, and Visitors are required to adhere to principles of the Global Policy
on Safeguarding Children and Young People both at work and outside work.
REPORTING, INVESTIGATION AND RESPONSE
1. Anyone concerned or informed of concerns about the safety of a child must inform his or her supervisor, the person in charge, or Sea Beyond Me manager of his or her concerns. If the concerns involve such person, the concerns must be reported to the next most appropriate person on site e.g., a Programme/Event coordinator, Assistant or Sea Beyond Me Staff as conveniently as possible. Anyone having concerns or suspicions regarding sexual or any other child abuse must report such concerns in order to enable Sea Beyond Me to communicate them through an established reporting mechanisms to the appropriate authority for investigation. If at all possible, concerns should be reported on the same working day.
2. The senior Sea Beyond Me staff person on site must take all appropriate and reasonable steps to protect the child involved and to keep the parties involved apart during the investigation. It is essential to avoid delay if inaction may place the child at further risk. In cases of possible abuse, every effort should be made to provide the child with appropriate assistance.
3. The next step in the process is for the senior Sea Beyond Me staff person to inform Human Resources in the Home Office in order to consult and decide on an appropriate course of investigation. Subsequent to the investigation, Human Resources will create a written report that will include the nature of the concerns, the risks to the child/children, and the investigative process. Further consultation with the relevant persons on site and the Legal Department will result in a decision as to the appropriate response. After a decision as to the appropriate response has been made, all parties will be informed.
4. An employee, volunteers, Associates or visitors who has been brought under investigation by Sea Beyond Me or by official law enforcement authorities for the abuse of a child may be temporarily suspended and shall have no access to children during the course of the investigation. The employee will be informed that charges have been made against him or her and given an opportunity to respond.
5. Subject to applicable local law and/or customs, CFR reserves the right in the event an employee is discharged for proven abuse, to disclose such information if requested by a prospective employer.
Disciplinary Action
Inappropriate behavior toward children, including failure to follow the specific and general requirements of this policy is grounds for discipline, up to and including dismissal from employment or termination of consultancy, agency, volunteer/internship or board/advisory council membership.
