Child Safeguarding
This page introduces ECPAT’s global commitment to child safeguarding – ensuring no child is harmed through our work. It explains why safeguarding matters, what ECPAT is doing, and offers tools and resources for staff, partners, and the wider sector.
What is Child Safeguarding?
Safeguarding children is everyone’s responsibility. When we work with or for children, we must make sure they are safe and never exposed to harm.
It’s crucial for organisations to have safeguarding policies and procedures in place when engaging with children, such as:
- Securing informed consent from children and caregivers
- Training and vetting staff and volunteers who work with children
- Safety measures at events with children in attendance
Children can be especially vulnerable because of their age and the power adults hold. Factors that may increase this risk include:
- Gender
- Socioeconomic status
- Ethnicity
- Disabilities
- Sexual orientation.
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There are three key pillars to effective safeguarding
Prevention
- Ensure child-safe recruitment
- Assess risks related to your work
- Equip staff with the knowledge and tools to create a protective environment for children.
Reporting
Report any child safeguarding concerns you may have as soon as possible. If you encounter potential risks of child abuse or exploitation associated with your work, silence is not an option.
Response
When responding to child safeguarding concerns, take all concerns seriously and with a survivor-centred approach.
WHY IT MATTERS
Violence against children is a global issue. Physical, emotional, or sexual abuse and exploitation can happen in families, communities – and even within organisations meant to protect children. Sometimes it’s the result of poor systems, lack of training, or unclear expectations. In the worst cases, it is deliberate and planned.
Children who face multiple forms of discrimination – due to disability, ethnicity, gender identity or sexual orientation – may be at even greater risk.
At ECPAT, we recognise our responsibility to make sure our actions never cause harm to children. This means creating a culture of safety and accountability, where staff, partners, and communities are equipped to prevent, report, and respond to any safeguarding concern.
What ECPAT is doing
We embed child safeguarding in everything we do, from recruitment and partnerships to programme delivery and communications. Our approach is guided by the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and built on the principles of:
- Do no harm
- Child-centred and survivor-centred practice
- Shared responsibility and accountability
- Partnership and support for local implementation
Our safeguarding work includes:
- A comprehensive Child Safeguarding Policy and Code of Conduct, available in multiple languages
- Mandatory safeguarding training for all staff
- Risk assessments, safe recruitment practices, and child-safe planning tools
- Support and resources for partners to meet minimum safeguarding standards
- A clear and confidential reporting process for concerns or incidents
All ECPAT International staff are trained on child safeguarding and actively integrate it into their activities, projects and partnerships.
What this achieves
Through our commitment to safeguarding:
- Children are safer when they come into contact with ECPAT or our partners
- Staff and partners are better equipped to prevent, recognise and respond to risks
- Safeguarding becomes part of everyday practice, not a one-off policy
- We strengthen trust with communities, survivors, and supporters
- Partners are supported to meet global safeguarding standards
Together, we can ensure a safer and more secure future for all children.
Join us in safeguarding children. It’s a commitment we all share. Donate now
Resources & tools
Child Safeguarding Policy
This Child Safeguarding Policy explains how we keep children safe and support their wellbeing. It sets out:
- The behaviour we expect from anyone working with or for ECPAT
- The steps we take to prevent harm
- How to report concerns, how we respond to them, and what happens if someone does not follow the Child Safeguarding Code of Conduct
- actions ECPAT will take to make sure this policy is put into practice
Code of Conduct (EN, FR, ES, RU)
Everyone working with or representing ECPAT must follow this Code of Conduct at all times, in all settings, to support a safe environment for children and promote their wellbeing.
Preventing Sexual Exploitation, Abuse, and Sexual Harassment (PSEAH) resources
Through our PSEAH Policy, we aim to ensure that ECPAT International staff and contracted individuals or suppliers do not expose anyone in contact with or affected by ECPAT International’s work to any sexual misconduct.
PSEAH Policy
PSEAH Code of Conduct
Global Standards on Safeguarding/PSEAH
Safeguarding in ECPAT
External resources
The Safeguarding Resource and Support Hub (RSH) A programme that aims to support organisations in the aid sector to strengthen their safeguarding policy and practice against Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Sexual Harassment (SEAH).
Keeping Children Safe An international not-for-profit registered in the UK, solely focused on child safeguarding.
Report a concern
Anyone connected to ECPAT—whether staff, partner, or community member—can report a safeguarding concern. Email: safeguarding@ecpat.org
We understand this can be difficult. Your report will be handled with care and confidentiality.