<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”2_5″ _builder_version=”3.0.47″][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/aimint.org\/ap\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2017\/09\/Ik-with-flowers.jpg” _builder_version=”3.24.1″][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/aimint.org\/ap\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2017\/03\/DSC_8976-2.jpg” _builder_version=”3.24.1″][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/aimint.org\/ap\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2017\/03\/p1781741_11947970_4.jpg” _builder_version=”3.24.1″][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/aimint.org\/ap\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2017\/03\/p1781741_970315192_4.jpg” _builder_version=”3.24.1″ custom_margin=”15px|||||”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/aimint.org\/ap\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2017\/06\/p1781741_924303203_4.jpg” _builder_version=”3.24.1″][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/aimint.org\/ap\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2017\/07\/p1781741_703388313_6.jpg” _builder_version=”3.24.1″][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/aimint.org\/ap\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2016\/04\/IMGP6941.jpg” _builder_version=”3.24.1″][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/aimint.org\/ap\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2017\/03\/LindaGreetings.jpg” _builder_version=”3.24.1″][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/aimint.org\/ap\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2016\/05\/faces-6.jpg” _builder_version=”3.24.1″][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
AIM Child Safety Code of Conduct Updated July 2019 Preamble This Code of Conduct sets out expectations for all ministry related interactions with children. It applies to all AIM personnel, whether volunteers or members, and to anyone involved in an AIM-led event or ministry. It is the responsibility of anyone who has a visitor engaging in an AIM ministry activity to ensure that this Code is followed. The Code of Conduct is aimed at reducing the risk of harm to children by setting out a general standard of behaviour for all personnel.\u00a0 It also protects personnel from their interactions being misunderstood or misinterpreted. The expectation is that adults act in a mature, responsible manner and with a high degree of self-awareness.\u00a0 It also requires that the adult is aware of and sensitive to cultural norms surrounding acceptable behaviour towards children.\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 It is the responsibility of members to address any inadvertent minor breaches of this Code with the person concerned. If actual harm or abuse has occurred or if there appears to be a deliberate or repeated non-compliance of any part of this Code, then it should be reported to the relevant Regional Executive Officer. The purpose of this […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":42,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"
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\u00a0Africa Inland Mission International\u00a0Code of Conduct for Child Safety<\/strong><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Background<\/strong><\/div>\nThe safety, security, and well-being of children are paramount in all of Africa Inland Mission International\u2019s ministries, services, and activities. Therefore, the policy and procedures manual has\u00a0been developed to ensure that this goal is achieved and sustained. All personnel and volunteers are\u00a0to be familiar with the principles and procedures outlined within this manual and to be conscientious\u00a0in fully complying with the manual.<\/div>\n
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This includes valuing them, regarding them positively, and\u00a0treating them with respect and care at all times. Adult staff and volunteers assume the full\u00a0responsibility of setting and maintaining clear, appropriate boundaries in all interaction with children.<\/div>\n
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The most effective way to prevent abuse of children is to be vigilant. By adhering to the following\u00a0standards for interaction with children we hope to protect them from abuse.\u00a0All AIM members, staff, short termers, and volunteers who have roles with children are expected to\u00a0interact with children in a mature, capable, safe, caring, responsible manner, with a high level of\u00a0accountability. All adult staff and volunteers are responsible for giving and accepting feedback from others in\u00a0order to maintain our high level of professionalism.<\/div>\n
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This Code of Conduct includes, but is not limited to the following expectations of staff and volunteers. The three principles below provide guidelines for reducing risk. Where one is not possible, then\u00a0look\u00a0at ways in which the other two can be strengthened.<\/div>\n
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Code of Conduct<\/strong><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
Visibility<\/strong><\/div>\nAll work with children shall be planned in a way that minimizes risks of abuse as far as possible. This<\/div>\n
includes being visible to other adults when working with children\u00a0\u00a0This can be accomplished by\u00a0planning activities in areas where other adults are present and at a time when other activities are\u00a0occurring. It can also be accomplished by installing windows in all classrooms and other rooms\u00a0occupied by children or keeping doors open.<\/div>\n
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Overcoming Isolation <\/strong><\/div>\nAt least two unrelated adults should\u00a0be present in work with children.\u00a0Avoid situations where one\u00a0adult is alone with just one child, for example, take more than one\u00a0child to\u00a0the bathroom\u00a0if possible,\u00a0drop off siblings<\/div>\n
last in a carpool, or take your own child or\u00a0another adult\u00a0along when\u00a0providing rides. We expect an adequate number of adults to supervise youth events, especially overnight activities.<\/div>\n
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Accountability<\/strong><\/div>\nParents and\/or supervisors are to be notified beforehand of any activities with youth or children. For example, before transporting a youth or child, keeping a child after school or a youth activity, or when\u00a0tutoring a child or youth.\u00a0When ministry to a child involves one-on-one interaction, the following procedures shall be followed, as applicable. Always be accountable to other adults regarding your interactions with youth or\u00a0children. Counseling or other necessarily confidential meetings with children shall be done in an\u00a0office with a window in the door<\/div>\n
and only when another adult is in close vicinity, aware that the meeting is occurring, and willing to stay in the vicinity until it is completed. Avoid situations where you\u00a0are placing yourself at risk of\u00a0your intentions\u00a0being misunderstood.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Supervision<\/strong><\/div>\nProgram administrators shall periodically and randomly inspect classrooms, offices, work areas and\u00a0other areas where children and adults are together.<\/div>\n
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Technology<\/strong><\/div>\nTechnology should be used appropriately to protect children or youth from abuse and exploitation, for\u00a0example, to prevent downloading pornographic material from the Internet, access to inappropriate\u00a0emails, chat rooms, or movies.<\/div>\n
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Discipline<\/strong><\/div>\nDiscipline should be used to teach and correct rather than punish. It should not include slapping,\u00a0hitting,<\/div>\n
shaming, yelling at, or belittling a child.<\/div>\n
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Touch<\/strong><\/div>\nBecause healthy, caring touch is valuable to children but unhealthy touch is abusive, the following\u00a0guidelines apply. Touch shall be open rather than secretive. A hug in the context of a group is very\u00a0different from a hug behind closed doors. Touch should be in response to the need of the child, and\u00a0not the need of the adult. Touch should be age-appropriate and generally initiated by the child rather\u00a0than the adult. It should be with the child\u2019s permission\u00a0and any resistance from the child should be\u00a0respected.<\/div>\n
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Touch should always communicate respect for the child. Adults should avoid doing things of a\u00a0personal nature for children that they are able to do for themselves, including dressing, bathing, etc.<\/div>\n
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Adults and other youth or children should not hit, slap, pinch, push, hold against their will, or otherwise assault children. The following signs of affection are generally appropriate within specific contexts: verbal praise, side-hugs, shoulder to shoulder hugs, pats on the shoulder, back, or head (when culturally appropriate).<\/div>\n
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For smaller children, touching their hands, faces, shoulders and arms, arms around their shoulders,\u00a0hugs, or holding them when others are present.<\/div>\n
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The following behaviours between staff or volunteers and children are inappropriate or may be perceived as inappropriate and shall not be engaged in: touching buttocks, chests, genital areas, or thighs; showing affection in isolated areas or when alone with a child; sleeping in bed with a child; inappropriate comments that relate to physique or body development; flirtatious or seductive looks; any form of affection that is unwanted by the child; showing sexually-suggestive videos or playing sexually-suggestive games with any child; any behavior that could be interpreted as sexual in nature.<\/div>\n
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Members shall monitor each other in the area of physical contact, helping each other by pointing out\u00a0anything that could be misinterpreted.<\/div>\n
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Verbal Interaction<\/strong><\/div>\nWords can also be used to support and encourage a child, such as praise, positive reinforcement,\u00a0and appropriate jokes. Inappropriate verbal interaction includes the following: shaming, belittling,\u00a0bullying, humiliating, name calling, using harsh language that may frighten, threaten or humiliate the\u00a0child, cursing, or making derogatory remarks about the child. Adults shall avoid favoring or showing\u00a0differential treatment to particular children or youth to the exclusion of others.\u00a0Inappropriate verbal interaction also includes telling off-color or sexual jokes, making sexually\u00a0suggestive comments, telling inappropriate secrets, or inappropriately discussing sexual encounters\u00a0or desires with children.<\/div>\n
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Parent Involvement<\/strong><\/div>\n\n
Parents are responsible for knowing where their children are at all times. In a school or dorm context parents shall be informed of planned activities (e.g. trips included in the schedule for the term) and sign a consent form. Parents shall be encouraged to make unannounced visits to program activities,\u00a0as this also reduces the risk of<\/div>\n
abuse.<\/div>\n
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Code of Conduct for Child Safety Acknowledgment Form<\/h1>\nI agree to abide by the Africa Inland Mission International\u2019s Child Safety Policy.<\/div>\n
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I acknowledge that I\u00a0am expected to know and be familiar with the contents. I understand that this policy\u00a0may be updated from time to time and that I will be responsible for reading and complying with the updates.<\/div>\n
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I\u00a0understand the definition of Child Abuse set forth in this policy and the procedures for reporting reasonable suspicion of and\/or allegations of misconduct.<\/div>\n