Child protection policy

Children and young people are vulnerable and dependent on the care and support of adults - all over the world. Unfortunately, in many regions of the world they are exposed to dangers out of necessity. Children and young people can be exploited as workers and sometimes unfortunate circumstances result in children and young people being mistreated or even sexually abused.

Those who neglect their duty of care or are guilty of it may come from the immediate or wider environment of the children and young people (e.g. parents, legal guardians, other close people, neighbors or relatives). Incidents occur mainly within the family or in the community, but such attacks could also occur in the RGV deployment sites.

Both our RGV team members on site as well as our volunteers and interns can make an active contribution to child protection. That's why the RGV child protection guidelines have been in place since spring 2016, which all actors involved in volunteer work follow. In addition, all participating volunteers will receive written information Evidence of participation in volunteer work required.

1. RGV allows no volunteer work or internships abroad in orphanages or children's homes.
2. For your work in social projects, we expect you to send us your extended police clearance certificate.
3. Before your departure, we will inform you about our child protection guidelines and explain the individual circumstances in your destination country.
4. By signing the RGV Code of Conduct, you agree to comply with our Child Protection Policy.
5. We invite you to participate voluntarily in one of our RGV preparation seminars in which we deal more intensively with the subject of child protection.
6. At each of our locations there is an official RGV Child Protection Contact Person who you can contact in case of need or emergency.

With the RGV child protection guidelines we want to make sure that the RGV project work - the acting of RGV employees, RGV volunteers and other participants - is transparent.

In order to set a good example, we therefore expect you as an RGV volunteer to adhere to the following rules:

1. Children must not be held, stroked, kissed, cuddled or touched in (culturally) inappropriate ways.
2. No activities should be undertaken with children who require close physical contact beyond what is necessary for work.
3. It must not be acted on in a way that could be emotionally or physically injurious to children.
4. No sexually suggestive comments or actions against children should be made - not even as a joke!
5. Sex or sexual relations with children are forbidden, regardless of the child's consent and local traditions! Misjudgments of age do not matter!
6. Children must not be beaten or otherwise physically attacked. Physical and degrading punishments by RGV volunteers and employees are not permitted.
7. No action may be taken in a manner that shames, humiliates, belittles, or otherwise emotionally and psychologically assaults children.
8. Children with special needs must not be discriminated against or given preferential treatment compared to others.
9. No time should be spent with children, without others present, behind closed doors or in shielded areas.
10. Children may not be taken home to the volunteer house or host family.
11. Volunteers and staff may not sleep with children in the same bed or allow a child to sleep with them unsupervised.
12. Children must not be exploited as workers (e.g. domestic workers) or for sexual services (e.g. prostitution).
13. Employees and volunteers may not approve of the misconduct listed by others!

Equal rights for men and women and our understanding of the inviolability of human and children's rights are often not yet implemented in our target countries. In Ghana, Tanzania, Uganda and Togo, cane education is still part of everyday school life and unfortunately has to be accepted to a certain extent. As a volunteer, you can of course make your point of view clear and suggest other methods. For example, you can show displeasure with your facial expression or by leaving the room. But you should leave it at that.

Please refrain from photographing vulnerable children (e.g. crying, hurt, scantily clad) as they will not be able to defend themselves and may not be able to say no. In addition, photos and videos should only be distributed on the Internet with the consent of the people depicted. For example, you can easily photograph children and young people as a group, provided they agree.

If you have any questions about child protection, feel free to contact us at any time info@rainbowgardenvillage.com