At the Carpathian Foundation, we have zero tolerance for any sexual exploitation, abuse or violation of children’s rights. It is important to us that we work with our partners, supported organisations and their partners to create and maintain a safe and respectful environment for everyone who participates in the activities we implement and support.
We are guided by the Policy For Protection From Sexual Exploitation And Abuse and the Child Safeguarding Policythat describe inappropriate behavior, ways how to report it and help victims. It is essential that all our workers and co-workers, partners, supported organisations as well as beneficiaries are familiar with these policies.
Inappropriate behavior we reject
Help and services funded and provided by the Carpathian Foundation, its partners, supported organisations and their partners are always free of charge. It is forbidden to demand money or services, including sexual services, in exchange for the assistance provided or to condition the assistance with them.
Any behavior that endangers the physical, emotional or mental well-being of a child is strictly prohibited. This behavior includes physical and psychological abuse, sexual abuse, neglect, bullying, child trafficking or forced child labour.
Any behavior of a sexual nature towards a child (a person under the age of 18) is considered sexual abuse, regardless of the laws in force in the country where the organisation and its partners operate. Ignorance of the child's actual age is no excuse.
For the safety and protection of the vulnerable groups we help, we expect all our workers, co-workers, partners, supported organisations and their partners to:
thoroughly read and follow the Policy For Protection From Sexual Exploitation And Abuse and the Child Safeguarding Policy,
inform beneficiaries that all the help and services we provide are free of charge, and how and where they can confidentially report and seek help in case of incidents of sexual exploitation and abuse or violations of the rights of the child,
report any incidents or suspicions of inappropriate behaviour related to the sexual exploitation and abuse or violation of the rights of the child and provide the necessary assistance to the victims, while:
• if the suspected misconduct involves Carpathian Foundation workers or co-workers, report it immediately to the Carpathian Foundation using the methods outlined below,
• if the suspicion concerns workers or co-workers of another organisation,report the incident immediately to the management or designated staff of the organisation with which the alleged perpetrator has a contractual relationship, i.e. the responsible organisation. The management of the responsible organisation is subsequently obliged to inform the Carpathian Foundation of this fact. The responsible organisation is obliged to investigate any allegation of misconduct by its employee and to draw appropriate consequences..
V prípade, ak došlo k trestnému činu, organizácia má zákonnú povinnosť In the event that a criminal offense has occurred, the organisation has a legal obligation to notify the relevant state authorities (police, Office of Labour, Social Affairs and Family, etc.).
If you have witnessed, been a victim of, or suspect any inappropriate behaviour by Carpathian Foundation workers or co-workers, please report it via:
E-mail:
pomoc@karpatskanadacia.sk
Mail (anonymously):
Karpatská nadácia, Letná 27, 040 01 Košice, Slovakia (mark the envelope: Reporting – do not open)
Phone:
+421 949 369 810
The information provided will be confidential and may also be reported anonymously. The Carpathian Foundation will respond to all allegations regardless of the nature of the allegation, person involved, or the identity and/or origin of the whistleblower.
Inform on how to report inappropriate behaviour
We have prepared leaflets for you to inform the beneficiaries of your services and help about how they can report inappropriate behavior of Carpathian Foundation workers and co-workers as well as workers/co-workers of our partners, supported organisations and their partners.
The leaflets are available in Slovak, Roma, Hungarian and Ukrainian languages. We recommend that you print them out and post them in the premises where you carry out activities within the framework of our cooperation.
