SAFEGUARDING POLICY

Introduction

Gurls Talk is a community-led non-profit organization dedicated to promoting the mental health and well-being of adolescent girls and young women. Gurls Talk was formed with the goal of creating safe spaces – on and offline – where gurls can access mental health resources, share their experiences, and support each other so they never feel alone or have to reach a breaking point.

Purpose

Gurls Talk recognizes that violence against children and vulnerable adults is prevalent throughout the world and in all societies. Violence includes physical or mental violence, injury and abuse, neglect or negligent treatment, maltreatment and sexual abuse. Furthermore, children and vulnerable adults may be further at risk due to gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, disability, age or illness.

Gurls Talk is fully committed to ending violence against children and vulnerable adults and acknowledges that we have a duty to promote the gender-responsive safeguarding of children and vulnerable adults – particularly those with whom we work or are in contact.

The purpose of this Policy is to ensure that:

• All who work for and engage with us are skilled, confident, and well-supported in understanding and meeting their responsibilities to safeguard children and vulnerable adults from violence and to engage positively with them in ways that enhance the achievement of our purpose.• We have procedures in place to prevent and deal with the actions/behavior of our staff, volunteers, interns, board members, sponsors, donors, partners, visitors, or other associates, as well as our actions/behavior as an organization, that may result in violence against a child or vulnerable adult and/or that place them at risk of the same. • Children and vulnerable adults we work with are aware of our commitment to prevent and respond to harm against them arising from actions and behaviors of our staff, volunteers, interns, board members, sponsors, donors, partners, visitors, and other associates, as well as the routes for reporting such incidents.

Scope

• This policy applies to all Gurls Talk staff – national and international; board members; contractors, consultants, advisors; interns and volunteers (referred to in this Policy as “Gurls Talk Personnel”).• In addition, Gurls Talk partners should ensure that safeguarding policies are in place for the project and that the levels of protection for children and vulnerable adults are at least equal to the levels of protection in this policy. Gurls Talk will not partner with an organization that does not have an appropriate safeguarding policy if the activities covered by the partnership involve working with children or vulnerable adults. In the event that a proposed partner does not have an appropriate safeguarding policy in place and the activities covered by the partnership involve working with children or vulnerable adults, the partner will be requested to agree via contract to adhereto this Policy.

Definitions

• Safeguarding: The commitment that organizations make to ensure that their staff, operations, and programs do no harm, and that action is taken to address any concerns about actual or potential harm and/or abuse. Safeguarding is about embedding practices throughout the organization to ensure the protection of children and vulnerable adults wherever possible.

• Child: A child is anyone under the age of 18, regardless of the legal age of majority in the locality, state, county, or country of operation.

• Vulnerable Adult: A person aged 18 years or over and at risk of abuse or neglect because of their needs for care and support. For example, the person:o Is elderly and/or frail.o Has a learning disability.o Has a physical disability and/or a sensory impairment.o Has a severe impairment in the ability to communicate with others.o Has mental health needs, including dementia or a personality disorder.o Has a long-term illness/condition.o Abuses substances or alcohol.o Lacks the mental capacity to make particular decisions and is in need of care and support.o Is receiving medical services, social care services, or nursing services/personal care in a care home or at home.o Is homeless.

• Abuse: Abuse can take many forms and definitions will vary by and between contexts. The definitions provided in this policy are not exhaustive but serve as a guide for Gurls Talk:o Physical: Physical contact that results in discomfort, pain or injury.o Sexual: Coercion or force to take part in sexual acts of any kind.o Emotional/Psychological: Action or inaction that causes mental distress.o Financial/Economic: Control over a person’s access to economic resources, which diminishes the victim’s capacity to support themselves and forces them to depend on the perpetrator financially.o Exploitation: Misuse of power over another person for financial, social, sexual, or other benefit.o Bullying & Harassment: Unwanted behavior that intimidates or humiliates others.o Sexual Harassment: Unwanted verbal, non-verbal, or physical conduct of a sexual nature.

Roles and Responsibilities

Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility. All Gurls Talk Personnel are responsible for following the guidance laid out in this Policy and related policies and for passingon any welfare concerns using the required procedures. Gurls Talk Personnel (paid or unpaid) are expected to promote good practice by being excellent role models, contributing to discussions about safeguarding, and positively involving people in developing safe practices.

Safe Recruitment and Selection

Gurls Talk ensures safe recruitment through the following:

• Include the following safeguarding statement in all recruitment advertisements and postings and application details: “Recruitment is done in line with safe recruitment practices. Compliance with our safeguarding policy is a contractual requirement.”• Make clear where the position may involve working with children or vulnerable adults and that employment in such position is conditional upon the successful completion of background checks.• Ensure that job or role descriptions for all positions that involve contact with children and/or vulnerable adults contain reference(s) to safeguarding responsibilities.• Include specifications for such roles that contain a statement on core competency with regard to child/vulnerable adult protection and safeguarding.• Ensure that shortlisting is based on the formal application process and forms, and not merely on provision of resumes.• Conduct interviews according to equal opportunity principles and based on the relevant job description and person specification.• Conduct background checks for all roles (paid or unpaid) that entail working with children and/or vulnerable adults.• Ensure that no formal job offers are made until after background checks and other checks for suitability are completed.

Training and Awareness

Gurls Talk is committed to the induction and training of Personnel (paid and unpaid), and effective communications and support mechanisms, in relation to this Policy and safeguarding responsibilities:

• Compliance with this Policy and Gurls Talk Code of Conduct is included in all employment and consultancy contracts.• All Personnel are provided with a copy of this Policy and the Code of Conductand the hiring manager or Executive Director will ensure that new Personnel have read and understand their obligations under the Policy and the Code of Conduct as part of the onboarding procedure.• Additionally, during their onboarding, all new Personnel who interact with children or vulnerable adults will receive an introduction to safeguarding and this Policy.• Formal safeguarding training will be given at the appropriate level and as relevant to roles, to support the arrangements in this Policy; where there is regular, direct, and/or unsupervised contact with children or vulnerable adults; to ensure that Personnel understand what safeguarding is and their role in safeguarding children and/or vulnerable adults; safeguarding training will be mandatory and refreshed annually.• Systems will be in place to ensure that all those receiving training understand the Policy and procedures and have acknowledged such understanding.

Reporting and Responding to Abuse, Suspected Abuse, and Disclosures of Abuse

Gurls Talk Personnel shall report safeguarding concerns and/or violations of this Policy. Anyone with concerns about a child or vulnerable adult or to whom someone discloses that they are being or have been abused, upon receiving the information, should:

• React calmly.• Reassure the individual that they were right to tell you, that they are not to blame, and that you take what they say seriously.• Allow them to speak freely.• Do not trivialize the issue being discussed. Similarly, do not react in horror or shock. • Do not investigate and do not inform, question, or confront the alleged abuser.• Only ask questions to clarify the situation; do not probe or interrogate or try to investigate the allegations.• Never agree to keep secrets. Personnel are required to report any concerns of harm, abuse, or exploitation to the Executive Director.• Reassure but do not promise confidentiality, which might not be feasible in light of subsequent developments.• Inform the individual what you will do next.• Within 24 hours, make a full and written record of what has been said/heard to the Executive Director.

If the Executive Director believes that the individual concerned is in immediate danger or a crime has been committed (e.g., you witness physical abuse), contact must be made with law enforcement or emergency services and/or the appropriate authorities (parents/social services) to ensure that the individual does not remain in an unsafe environment. A full detailed record must be made. If you witness an assault, crime, or act of abuse, the priority is the immediate health, safety, and welfare of the individual and the police should be contacted.

Where concerns relate to the conduct of Gurls Talk Personnel:

• The Board should be informed within 48 hours.• Gurls Talk reserves the right to suspend any individual accused of harm, abuse, or exploitation while an investigation is conducted. This is not an assumption of guilt but may be necessary to ensure the protection of everyone involved.

Internal investigations should​be conducted by person(s) with the skills​ to do so (including, if appropriate, by an external party). The investigation​should involve interviews of all parties involved, including witnesses, to gather all relevant details of the allegation.

Appropriate disciplinary measures should be taken in the event that the allegation is found to be true. If the allegation is found to be unfounded, appropriate steps should be taken to minimize damage to the reputation of the accused individual.

Gurls Talk recognizes that safeguarding concerns arise in any organization. Gurls Talk requires all partners to notify of:

• Any allegation of harm or abuse (physical or mental violence, injury and abuse, neglect or negligent treatment, maltreatment or exploitation, sexual abuse or harassment) allegedly perpetrated by their staff, volunteers, contractors, board members, or others representing their organization in the course of the partner’s work for Gurls Talk.• Any incidents of significant harm, in the course of the partner’s work for Gurls Talk, caused by weaknesses or gaps in the partner’s organizational procedures and/or program design.

Record and Record Keeping

A written record must be kept about any concern regarding a child or vulnerable adult with safeguarding needs. This should include:

• Details of the person(s) involved;• Nature of the concern(s);• How the concern was identified (i.e., alleged or reported by child/vulnerable adult; alleged, reported, suspected or witnessed by someone else; suspected or witnessed by self; other); • Details of any physical injuries reported or witnessed;• Whether parent(s)/caregiver(s) were contacted;• Whether emergency services were involved;• Actions taken and/or decision(s) made; and • Why those actions and/or decisions were taken/made.

All records must be signed and dated and securely and confidentially stored in line with the GDPR and the Privacy Policy.

Confidentiality and Information Sharing

Gurls Talk expects all Personnel to maintain confidentiality. Every effort must be made to ensure that confidentiality is maintained for all concerned. Information should be handled and disseminated on a need to know basis only, with information stored in a secure place. Information will only be shared in line with the General Data Protection Regulations (“GDPR”) and Gurls Talk’s Privacy Policy.

However, information should be shared with local authorities and/or law enforcement if a child or vulnerable adult is deemed to be at risk of harm. Contact the police if a child or vulnerable adult is in immediate danger or a crime has been committed.

Communications and Social Media

All Gurls Talk communications, including through traditional and social media, are based on the principles of do no harm, informed consent, dignity and respect, and empowerment.

Do No Harm

The safety of those connected with our work will always be the paramount consideration. In particular, the best interests of the child or vulnerable adult will be protected over any other consideration.

Gurls Talk limits the amount of information provided about the location to the city or region in which the image or story was obtained.

Gurls Talk only uses first name in their external communications, unless the person requests use of a pseudonym.

Potential risks (e.g., legal implications, risk from perpetrators, risk of stigma or backlash from family or community) are discussed as part of the consent process.

No personal data, sensitive information, or imagery will be used that could compromise the safety, care, or protection of those associated with our work.

Informed Consent

By obtaining consent, Gurls Talk ensures individuals have real choice and control over the sharing of their images and stories.

When obtaining consent, Gurls Talk explains who we are, why we want the image and/or story and what we will do with it. This is explained in simple language that can be easily understood by the individual and consent forms are translated.

Gurls Talk makes sure individuals know they can refuse and that they won’t be penalized in any way. We also explain how individuals can withdraw their consent.

Whenever Gurls Talk features individual children or vulnerable adults in images or stories, we always ask for the child’s or vulnerable adult’s consent and obtain parental or caregiver consent for anyone under the age of 18 years or for vulnerable adults who are not capable of giving such consent.

Dignity and Respect

Gurls Talk communications are based on the principle of respect for the dignity of people concerned. When we show the challenges faced by individuals and communities, this will be balanced with a recognition of the strength and agency of those involved.

Gurls Talk will ensure that we respect cultural and religious values and do not request or use images or stories that could cause offense. When gathering images or personal testimonies/stories, Gurls Talk will respect the education, work, religious,and family commitments of program participants and organize our work so that it causes minimal disruption.

Empowerment

Gurls Talk takes a rights-based approach and actively supports the empowerment of children and/or vulnerable adults in shaping the images and stories that we use.

Gurls Talk places our program participants at the center of our communications and work collaboratively to amplify their work and bring attention to issues they identify as important. We provide opportunities for those affected by various issues to communicate their stories and experiences in their own words.

No Gurls Talk Personnel may use social media to contact children or vulnerable adults, whom they have met through their work, through social media, after hours, for non-work purposes.

Disciplinary Action

Failure to adhere to the measures set out in this Policy may result in disciplinary action, up to and including dismissal or termination of contract.

Whistleblowing

It is important that Gurls Talk Personnel have the confidence and comfort to come forward to speak or act if they are unhappy with anything. Whistleblowing occurs when a person raises a concern – including about another Personnel – about dangerous or illicit activity, or any wrongdoing within their organization, including but not limited to any safeguarding concerns or violations of this Policy. Gurls Talk Whistleblowing Policy requires that whistleblowers be protected and not be retaliated against.

Approval and Review

Gurls Talk will check whether any changes are required to this Policy on an annual basis. This will be led by the Executive Director. A full review of the Policy will be conducted every three years and the revised policy will be approved by the Gurls Talk Board.

Important Contacts:

Daniella Raveh, Executive Director

daniella@gurlstalk.com (mailto:daniella@gurlstalk.com)