Child Safety

Child Safety is our number one priority. Talking about child safety or child protection is not always comfortable or enjoyable, but it is necessary and required at HIS. Child Protection and Child Safety is extremely important at HIS. Child Safety is a serious matter, and we are determined to keep each and every child in our program safe and protected.

We help children receive an excellent education, and some of our students are from the urban poor. We are concerned about the well-being of each and every student, and that is why do all in our power and take every effort to keep them safe.

Guiding Principles of Child Protection at HIS are as follows:

A zero-tolerance for child abuse
Children’s rights are protected, and their best interests are sought after
The child is our first priority when dealing with a suspected case of abuse
Educating children on their rights, personal safety and source of help in an abuse situation
Integrating child protection into organizational strategy, structures, and work practices
Mandatory training for all staff and volunteers who work with children

What is abuse?
Sadly, abuse can take many forms, and we work hard to recognize and deal with any situation that can adversely affect a child’s mental or physical health, development or dignity. The four main types we monitor are physical abuse, neglect, emotional abuse and sexual abuse.

Child protection policy:
Our Child Protection Policy is made up of several components, all with the goal of keeping children and youth safe. It includes child protection protocols, guidelines for reporting incidents, steps for preventing abuse, training for HIS staff and volunteers, the rules we follow for using information in print and web materials and safety measures.

Child protection protocols:
Each field office is required to have its own child protection protocols based on CI’s overarching Child Protection Policies and Guiding Principles. These protocols include local laws on child abuse, procedures that are required by local law, a list of local authorities to whom child abuse cases are reported, as well as a list of partner organizations to contact that can provide the appropriate support services for victims.

Reporting incidents:
For all reported child-abuse incidents, HIS requires that the child’s best interest be the first priority. In addition, all incidents must be dealt with promptly, and they must be handled in a confidential manner that does not harm the victim or the person reporting the abuse.

Preventing abuse:
Of course, preventing abuse entirely is the ultimate goal for any child-aid organization. HIS believes that we must do everything in our power to reduce cases of abuse as much as possible to help ensure children’s safety. The key to our strategy is education:

Training children, staff and volunteers on how to identify and prevent child abuse.
Giving children the opportunity to participate in programs that educate them on their rights, personal-safety techniques and steps they can take in case of a problem.
Encouraging and supporting children, staff and community members to report cases of abuse.
Incorporating child protection information into other HIS programs. In this way, we reach a broader audience and reemphasize the importance of protecting children.
Allowing all children and teens the opportunity to participate in programs regardless of gender, sexual orientation, disability, ethnicity or religion.

We have cameras in hallways, common areas, inside and outside the building for security and child safety.

Staff and Volunteer Training:
All field staff and volunteers attend mandatory annual trainings on our Child Protection Policy and agency-specific child protection protocols. All new employees and volunteers are also trained and commit to following the policy and protocols.

Communications:
As you read through our web and print materials, you may have already noticed some of the measures we take to protect children.
These include:

Telling the truth of the story. This means never using manipulated or sensationalized text and/or images, and certainly not employing discriminatory or degrading language.
Never using images of inappropriately clothed children.
Not publicly disclosing a child’s last name, personal address or other information that could be used to locate a child within a country.
Not publishing health information, unless the family or individual has given us written consent.

Additionally, children, youth and individuals featured in our materials must consent (or their parents or guardians must consent) to us using their image or story prior to publication.

We monitor communications between scholarship donors and students:
All letters between sponsors and children are reviewed before being delivered. We check for things like inappropriate language and topics, promises of money or gifts, and sharing personal contact information. Scholarship donors and students agree not to connect via social media sites like Facebook, Twitter, etc. We have visit guidelines in place for anyone who may have contact with children and youth or their personal information.

Background Checks:
We are registered with the DOJ of California, and we require background checks for anyone 18 and older who will be meeting any children and youth in person, for the safety of the children. Information is kept confidential and secure.