Even if your nonprofit doesn’t provide direct services, creating a child protection policy is still a good idea. The Executive Director of the Iraqi Children Foundation explains how her team created their first policy and why you can’t afford to wait.
A: At first blush, it might seem that ICF, a US-based 501(c)(3), might not need such a policy since we provide funding for NGO projects in Iraq, rather than hands-on, direct services to children. But, we quickly realized that we did need a child protection policy for two reasons:
A: As the full-time volunteer Executive Director of ICF, it is my responsibility to initiate policy decisions of this nature. One of the best features of GlobalGiving are the learning opportunities available, so I reviewed Keeping Children Safe’s Child Protection Plan Self-Audit (for which GlobalGiving nonprofit partners can earn GG Rewards Effectiveness points), then completed the self-audit for ICF which revealed we did not have adequate policies in place. Then, I drafted a preliminary child protection policy, briefed the Board on the subject, and got input from individual members who then voted unanimously vote in support of the policy.
A: If your mission is caring for children anywhere in the world—whether through education, health care, or other initiatives—you can’t afford NOT to have a child protection policy, especially if you are in the business of direct services. You will regret not having such a policy in place if abuse occurs and a child is harmed. And your reputation can be greatly impacted by even a single well-publicized case of abuse. Instead, take the GlobalGiving course, read the material, and do the self-audit. Then draft your first child protection policy, with the understanding that as you have experience with the policy, you may want to update or expand it. The important thing is to take action, even if initially you take small steps.
This interview is part of the GlobalGiving community’s growing library of resources on the importance of ethical fundraising, child protection, and safeguarding.
Featured Photo: Reaching Adolescent Girls In Humanitarian Settings by Women's Refugee Commission, Inc
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