Code of Conduct
CODE OF ETHICS
PROTECTION FROM ABUSE AND EXPLOITATION
Children and Vulnerable Adults Safeguarding Policy
1.1 Purpose
Caritas Athens recognizes the right of children and vulnerable adults to protection, regardless of gender, race, culture and disability. Caritas Athens recognizes the power dynamics inherent in working with children and vulnerable adults and the potential for abuse and exploitation by staff of people we work with.
Caritas Athens is committed to creating and maintaining an environment which promotes its core values and prevents abuse and exploitation of all people.
Caritas Athens staff [1]and associates[2] are expected to uphold the dignity of all people with whom they come into contact by ensuring that their personal and professional conduct is of the highest standards at all times. They are equally expected to serve with integrity and promote the right relationships while taking their responsibilities.
Caritas Athens recognizes the unique needs of children and vulnerable adults and, therefore, commits itself to creating and maintaining an environment that protects these individuals.
1.2 Scope
This policy applies directly to all Caritas Athens Staff and Associates and it is in full compliance with Caritas Internationalis Children and Vulnerable Adults Safeguarding Policy.
1.3. Protecting Children and Vulnerable Adults
Caritas Athens prohibits all forms of exploitation and abuse, namely:
- Caritas Athens staff and associates are prohibited from engaging in sexual activity with children (persons under the age of 18, regardless of the age of majority or age of consent locally). Mistaken belief regarding the age of a child is not a defense.
- Caritas Athens Staff and Associates are prohibited from causing any physical or emotional harm to children or vulnerable adults.
- Caritas Athens Staff and Associates are prohibited from the exchange of money, employment, goods, or services for sex, including sexual favors.
- Caritas Athens Staff and Associates are prohibited from any form of humiliating, degrading, or exploitative behavior toward children, women, and vulnerable adults.
- Caritas Athens Staff and Associates are not to use their power or position to withhold assistance or services, or to give preferential treatment.
- Caritas Athens Staff and Associates are prohibited from using their power or position to request or demand payment, privilege, or any other benefit.
- Caritas Athens Staff and Associates are prohibited from engaging in trafficking in human beings, in all forms.
In the same spirit, Caritas Athens Staff and Associates are strongly discouraged to engage in sexual relationships with people they work with since they are based on inherently unequal power dynamics. Such relationships are contrary to Caritas principles and values and undermine the credibility and integrity of its work.
1.4. Responsibility to report
Caritas Athens Staff and Associates are obliged to report any concern or suspicion of exploitation and abuse of a child or vulnerable adult. Failure to report may put the victim and Caritas at risk and is a breach of this Safeguarding Policy and of the Caritas Athens Code of Conduct.
Caritas Athens Staff and Associates should report concerns by a staff from other non-member organization or body through established reporting mechanisms.
1.5. Prevention
Caritas Athens is adhering to the highest human resource and recruitment standards to safeguard people we work with against exploitation and abuse.
This includes:
- Safe recruitment - referencing and vetting prospective applicants with emphasis on impeccable track record in carrying out their work in conformity with the Code of Conduct. Caritas Athens is adhering to the sector-wide referencing scheme called “inter-agency misconduct disclosure scheme".
- Induction - all Staff have completed an induction on the Caritas Athens Code of Conduct, Complaints and Handling Policy and Procedures, Caritas Athens Child and Vulnerable Adults Safeguarding Policy and Standards of Behavior Toward Children and Glossary of Terms.
- Acknowledgment - all Staff have read, understood and signed the Caritas Athens Child and Vulnerable Adults Safeguarding Policy and the Code of Conduct.
1.6. Data protection
Caritas Athens is committed to apply the highest levels of protection in the processing of personal data. Personal information acquired during investigations related to the breach of the Caritas Athens Code of Conduct and the Caritas Athens Child and Vulnerable Adults Safeguarding Policy will be treated in accordance to the General Data Protection Regulation (EU) 2016/679 on the protection of natural persons with regard to the processing of personal data.
All above documents have been approved by Caritas Athens Board
– Decision Nr. 333.1/30.05.2019
[1] Staff refers to all Caritas staff, volunteers, interns and governance members.
[2] Associates refers to consultants and contractors
