Safeguarding means protecting an individual's health, well-being, and human rights, and enabling them to live free from harm, abuse, and neglect. Protecting children, young people, and adults is a shared responsibility. When discussing safeguarding, the acronym PSHEA is often used, which stands for "preventing sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse."
As an employee or volunteer in Danish and locally rooted civil society organizations, you will come into direct contact with vulnerable children and adults in the communities where you work. Often, you will be in a position of power because you have access to specific services and benefits. Unfortunately, some individuals misuse this power imbalance to exploit, abuse, and harass others.
Experiencing sexual harassment, exploitation, or abuse can have serious consequences for the individual and their loved ones. Often, those affected hesitate to speak out about the violation or experience, which can be traumatizing for some for a lifetime.
At CISU, we are committed to supporting our members and grant holders in preventing and addressing sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse. This includes efforts both internally within individual organizations, in collaboration with local partners, and in relation to the target groups that the projects aim to support.
Safeguarding: What should your organisation do?
You should have a safeguarding policy and/or procedures for your organisation, partners and target groups.
Safeguarding Ressource and Support Hub has developed a guide to creating a safeguarding policy with a particular focus on smaller civil society organisations. In addition, they offer a wide range of tools and training in more than 10 different languages.
