Child Protection Policy
Catalyst for Change (C4C) is dedicated to creating a positive impact on Vietnamese children and women through educational volunteerism, cultural immersion, and empowerment. Our mission is to empower marginalized communities by building knowledge, skills, confidence, and networks, breaking barriers of inequality through human connection and inclusive access to transformative opportunities. Catalyst for Change Vietnam (C4C) values young people and children as a vital part of the organization and commits to seeing them grow, mature, and be challenged in a healthy and safe environment. A copy of this child protection policy will be kept and filed with the Board by a designated Board member, Ms. Van Ngo, who is the assigned Child Protection Representative of Catalyst for Change Vietnam.
Our Principles
1. Zero tolerance of sexual, physical, emotional abuse, neglect, and exploitation of children.
2. Shared responsibility to protect children from harm and to provide a healthy and safe environment.
3. Best interests of children are prioritized in all our projects.
4. Inclusion: Creating an inclusive environment that considers the needs of all children, includingthose with disabilities.
Definition of a Child
Our policy defines a child as any person under the age of 18.
Utilization of generated income
The World Health Organization ([WHO], 2006, p. 9) defines child abuse and neglect as: “All forms of physical and/or emotional ill treatment, sexual abuse, neglect or negligent treatment or commercial or other exploitation, resulting in actual or potential harm to the child’s health, survival, development, or dignity in the context of a relationship of responsibility, trust, or power.”
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Sexual Abuse: Involves a child in sexual activity they do not fully comprehend, cannot give informed consent to, are developmentally unprepared for, or that violates societal laws or taboos. This includes abuse by adults or by other children in positions of responsibility, trust, or power over the victim.
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Physical Abuse: The intentional use of physical force against a child that results in—or has a high likelihood of resulting in—harm to the child’s health, survival, development, or dignity. This includes hitting, beating, kicking, shaking, biting, strangling, scalding, burning, poisoning, andSuffocating.
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Emotional Abuse: Refers to inappropriate verbal or symbolic acts by a parent or caregiver, or a pattern of failure over time to provide a child with adequate non-physical nurturing and emotional availability. Such acts can damage a child’s self-esteem or social competence.
Aims
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To provide activities that help children safely develop from childhood into adulthood and support their growth.
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To enable children to express themselves freely.
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To assist children in integrating into both the global and local community.
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To help children appreciate the diversity of their cultures.
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To create an inclusive environment that considers the needs of children with disabilities.
Child Protection Representative
Catalyst for Change Vietnam has appointed Ms. Van Ngo as the Child Protection Representative, who can be contacted at board@catalystforchangevietnam.com If any member of C4C or an independent group working in partnership with C4C has child safety concerns, they must report them to the representative. Additionally, they should contact at least one other individual, such as a C4C manager, partner school manager, or the Vietnam Department of Education.
Utilization of generated income
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Ensuring the policy is implemented in practice.
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Serving as the first point of contact for child protection issues.
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Keeping a detailed record of any child protection concerns.
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Reporting any child protection concerns to the Management Committee and contacting the Local Authority if appropriate.
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Ensuring paid staff and volunteers receive appropriate supervision and training.
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Ensuring everyone involved with the organization is aware of the identity of the Child Protection Representative.
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Distributing copies of this policy to volunteers, team members, and visitors and ensuring they sign it.
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Investigating concerns, suspicions, allegations, or incidents involving child abuse or exploitation.
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Facilitating ongoing training and updates for staff and volunteers on child protection best practices.