CHILD PROTECTION GUIDELINE FOR THE CLUBS
CHILD PROTECTION GUIDELINE FOR THE CLUBS
INTRODUCTION
This Guideline is committed to providing a safe and enjoyable environment that enables children/young people, in line with the respect for their human dignity, to develop their full potential as individuals while protecting them from all physical, sexual and emotional harm in the development of the activities of the Club.
As the Club is a corporate work of Opus Dei, the Personal Prelature of Opus Dei in Nigeria has approved a policy for dealing with allegations of sexual abuse of minors by any member of the Prelature (lay person or priest) and has established a Review Board to study any such cases.
APPLICABILITY
This Guideline is applicable to all Tutors (Adults, Volunteers and Priests) who are involved in the activities of the Club.
Before participating in the activities carried out within the centers and elsewhere under the auspices of the Club, the Tutors must acquaint themselves with the code and must agree to abide by it.
Tutors will be exclusively liable to any civil or criminal action for any allegation of sexual misconduct which arises from their violation of the Code, or from their non-implementation of the code.
This Guideline is applicable to the Tutor while in the Centre and while supervising activities of the Club in the Centre or elsewhere.
CODE OF PRACTICE
Tutors are expected:
To treat each young person with equal respect and consideration, without favoritism, and ensure his safety and welfare at all times.
To take great care over whatever they say to young people and also the way in which they say it at all times.
To avoid situations, actions and language that compromise a relationship of trust with young people.
To avoid physical horseplay/contact with the boys, more so when alone. They shall also avoid taking part in contact games where there is a danger that others might misinterpret their actions, no matter how innocently intentioned.
Not to touch the young person in a manner that is considered culturally inappropriate or in a manner that can be suggestive of sexual abuse.
To manage overly affectionate and emotional children. If they (young person) initiate physical contact, Tutors should distance themselves immediately.
To ensure that one-to-one conversation between a child and a Tutor shall take place in a public place or in rooms designed so as to be open to view by others with doors with transparent glass. In such conversations, physical and emotional boundaries should be maintained.
To speak up if they recognize inappropriate personal or physical attraction developing between themselves and a young person. In the interim, another Tutor should be appointed to work with the young person.
To ensure that sleeping accommodation, shower and changing facilities for young people and Tutors are always separate.
Not to do things of a personal nature for a young person—such as accompanying him to the toilet or bathing him.
Not to cause, permit, compel, encourage or allow a young person to engage in any sexual conduct.
Not to take any trip(s) alone with a young person.
Not to use the Centre's computer or internet facilities to access, view or download any inappropriate material, including but not limited to pornography.
Not to show any inappropriate material, including but not limited to pornography, to a young person.
Not to smoke or drink inappropriately in front of young people. Neither should young people be provided with alcoholic beverages, tobacco, drugs or anything that is prohibited by law.
To avoid sexual interactions or even sexually suggestive interactions.
Not to take photographs of minors while they are unclothed or dressing (e.g. in a locker room or bathing facility).
To intervene and save a young person if he observes the young person is being abused by anyone (Tutor or another minor person), after which the incident is reported.
Speak with the Director if any young person or Parent accuses him of engaging in inappropriate conduct. It should not be brushed aside or joked over.
All activities are to be planned thoroughly by the Directors of the Centre, so as to eliminate any times or situations where it may be possible for young people to be abused, such as when contact is unobserved.
There will always be at least two Tutors involved in every programme organized by the Club.
HANDLING COMPLAINTS OF SEXUAL MISCONDUCT
While recognizing the right of persons to report misconduct to Civil Authorities, it is encouraged that similar complaints are also made to the Director of the Centre.
If the Director of the Centre receives a complaint in which the Tutor or priest involved is a member of Opus Dei, the Director will inform the Directors of the Prelature.
MODE OF REPORTING
A Tutor who suspects, witnesses, or otherwise becomes aware of any incident of sexual misconduct of a young person must report within 48 hours of possessing such information. Failing to do so is considered a very serious breach of this Guideline.
The Tutor must report in person and cannot delegate it to another. This helps to maintain confidentiality.
A person making a report is immune from civil or criminal liability, and the name of the person making the report is kept confidential.
Any person who suspects abuse and does not report it, if discovered, may be asked to withdraw from the activities of the Club.