Child Protection Policy

Maison de la Gare

The children and youth we work with are a particularly vulnerable group, exposed to many risks. Our mission to improve their lives is broader than education and health care. We are concerned with the complete well-being of every child. This requires above all assuring their safety and safeguarding them physically and morally.

Four Guiding Principles

1. Have zero tolerance for any form of violence or exploitation affecting children.
2. Integrate child protection into everything we do, including our strategies and our work practices.
3. Make child safety a top priority in all our activities, especially in cases of suspected or proven abuse.
4. Educate children about their rights. Involve them and empower them in the process of assuring and safeguarding their rights and freedoms.

People, Procedures and Accountability

Maison de la Gare commits itself to assuring the well-being of the children we work with, in full conformity with the United Nations Charter of the Rights of the Child. We will not tolerate any violence towards children. Children are at the heart of everything we do at Maison de la Gare, and their protection is our first priority.

People – Every person who acts on behalf of Maison de la Gare, including all staff, volunteers and other agents, is bound by and must comply with a Code of Conduct.

Procedures – The Code of Conduct establishes standards relating to individual behavior, integrity and values, respect for each individual, professionalism, confidentiality, recruitment, selection and training. Each of these elements is inspired by and fully respects this Child Protection Policy.

Responsability – The Code of Conduct establishes the responsibility of the Board of Directors, the management team and other leaders in the organization to train every person covered by the Code on the interpretation and application of the Code and of this Policy. It also lays out the procedures to be followed in the event of non-compliance with any of the provisions set out in the Code and this Policy.

Use of Children's Photos and Personal Information

Special attention must be given to any presentation of information about talibé and other vulnerable children. Personal and contact information that could identify a child and his location may not be used on a website or published in a public domain. The child’s surname or the name of his community may only be used with the express permission of Maison de la Gare.

If photos or other images of the children are used, they must be decent and respectful and not portray the children as victims. Images should not present children in ways that reveal a vulnerability or detract from their personal self-image.

Images or photos of children may not be used to serve interests other than the interests of the children themselves.

National Strategy for Child Protection – Senegal

Senegal has promulgated a National Child Protection Strategy aimed at preventing, responding to and eliminating child abuse, neglect, exploitation and violence in all contexts. Maison de la Gare's Child Protection Policy and Code of Conduct are consistent with this national strategy and are complemented by it.