Child Protection Policy
About Mission Solidarity
Mission Solidarity is a grassroots, non-profit organization based in Cyprus, dedicated to fostering social inclusion, diversity, equity, and community empowerment. Driven by the belief that every individual deserves dignity, respect, and equal opportunities, we actively support marginalized and vulnerable communities, including migrants, refugees, and socially excluded groups.
Through innovative projects, advocacy, education, and humanitarian support, Mission Solidarity seeks to break down barriers, combat discrimination, and create meaningful pathways towards social integration and civic engagement.
Recognizing the particular vulnerability of children within these communities, Mission
Solidarity places child safeguarding at the heart of our approach, ensuring safe and empowering environments where every child can thrive.
Introduction to the Child Protection Policy
Mission Solidarity firmly believes that all children, irrespective of their background, deserve protection from harm. In line with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (1989), Article 19, and aligning with the International Child Safeguarding Standards, this policy outlines our organizational values, principles, and explicit procedures to protect children from all forms of physical or mental violence, injury, abuse, neglect, maltreatment, and exploitation, including sexual abuse.
Our Values and Principles
- All child abuse constitutes a violation of children’s rights.
- Every child has an equal right to protection from abuse, neglect, and exploitation.
- Safeguarding children's rights, particularly their right to freedom from abuse, is fundamental to our mission.
- Child abuse is never acceptable or tolerated.
- Our duty is to safeguard children we engage with, directly or indirectly.
- When we work through partners, they must uphold these minimum standards of child safeguarding.
What We Will Do
Awareness:
- Comprehensive, continuous training on child abuse risks and safeguarding procedures for all staff, volunteers, and partners.
Prevention:
- Implement robust practices, including thorough recruitment procedures, continuous training, and risk assessment.
Reporting:
- Clear, confidential, and accessible reporting procedures communicated to staff, volunteers, children, families, and partners.
Responding:
- Immediate and appropriate action to support and protect children upon safeguarding concerns.
Recruitment and Human Resources:
- Thorough recruitment process including criminal background checks.
- Applicants must provide a clean criminal record.
- Comprehensive safeguarding training provided to staff and volunteers.
Visitor Guidelines:
- Visitors interacting with children must sign the Child Protection Policy.
- Visitors are always supervised by Mission Solidarity staff when in contact with children.
- Visitor interactions logged and monitored.
Personal Data, Media, and Consent:
- Explicit consent obtained from parents/guardians for photographs, videos, and data collection involving children.
- Secure storage of personal data, restricted to necessary personnel.
- Media content should never contain identifiable information without explicit consent.
- Images must portray children respectfully, avoiding poses or contexts that may be inappropriate or provocative.
Child Participation Guidelines
- Clearly inform children about their rights and procedures for expressing concerns.
- Written consent from parents/guardians for child participation in events.
- Apply the two-adult rule: at least two staff members present during any child-related activities.
Reporting, Investigation, and Response Protocol
- Immediate reporting to designated safeguarding officers upon concern.
- Initial response within 24 hours.
- Confidential, documented investigation with clear procedural guidelines.
- Mandatory reporting to:
○ Cypriot Police Domestic Violence and Child Abuse Office: Telephone:
22808442, Email: domviol.childabuse@police.gov.cy
○ Social Welfare Services: Telephone: +357 22406600, Email: central.sws@sws.mlsi.gov.cy
Roles and Responsibilities:
- Child Safeguarding Officer: Responsible for receiving, documenting, and investigating reports. Ensures training and policy compliance.
- Secondary Contact: Provides additional support and oversight.
Code of Conduct All Mission Solidarity staff, volunteers, and partners must:
- Never physically assault or abuse children.
- Never engage in sexual relationships with children or inappropriate relationships.
- Not use inappropriate, offensive, abusive, or provocative language or behavior.
- Avoid situations where they are alone and unsupervised with children.
- Actively minimize risks and maintain transparency in interactions with children.
- Foster an open environment encouraging children to raise concerns without fear.
Accountability and Review:
- Ongoing monitoring, evaluation, and annual policy review to reflect best practices and legislative changes.
Contact Information
● Child Safeguarding Officer: Orestis Papamiltiades, opapamiltiades@missionsolidarity.org
● Secondary Contact: Kypros Sapachlaris, ksapachlaris@missionsolidarity.org