Child Protection Policy

1. Introduction

Big Picture Association (BP) has been operating since 2018, relying on the founder’s previous experience in the projects implementations in the field of history, visual arts, culture animation and education. Big Picture organizes social animation events, workshops and seminars, based on the belief that cultural activities affect the local community. Big Picture inspires residents and provide tools for acting on their own and completing own projects.

Constantly looking for new methods of telling local history, Big Picture introduces innovations in culture: we use a creative problem-solving method (Design Thinking), show that culture is for everyone, regardless of their age or skills; our audio-visual materials are provided with audio description and subtitles for the deaf; our activities are planned in such a way as to enable the participation by the widest possible group of recipients; our experience of many years of cooperation with institutions and non-governmental organizations brings benefits to the community.

The present document (CPP) will cover BP’s projects in which there are direct or indirect activities with children and youth. Such projects may involve educational programmes aimed at adults, but also direct activities with children: phone or online discussions, questionnaires, focus groups, consultation on a training and documents, pilot testing of a training or other activity, workshops, visits at schools, participation in meetings/conferences, etc.

The present Child protection policy represents BP’s statement and set of measures aimed at protecting children from harm and creating a safe organizational culture that embeds democratic values.

Child safeguarding consists of a set of measures and conditions through which BP limits the risks the children may be exposed to during the activities involving the adult personnel, trainees or volunteers or during their collaboration with BP.

Abuse can take many forms. In this document we define it as a misuse of power and control that one person has over another.

 

2. Scope of application

The Big Picture’s Child Protection policy applies to:

  • All Staff, Board Members, Trainees and volunteers
  • All those acting on behalf of BP, such as consultants, experts, trainers, editors etc.
  • All those who participate in BP’s events and meetings involving children.
  • The child protection policy will be introduced progressively.

 

3. Definitions of abuse

Abuse can take many forms. Here are definitions of the four main categories of abuse:

  • Physical Abuse is the actual or potential physical harm caused by an action or lack of action, which is reasonably within the control of the parent or person in a position of responsibility, power, or trust. Physical abuse may involve hitting, spanking, shaking, throwing, poisoning, burning or scalding, drowning and suffocating. It can also mean causing physical harm to a child by fabricating the symptoms of, or deliberately causing, ill health to a child. The incidents may be single or repeated.
  • Sexual Abuse is evidenced by an activity between a child and an adult or another child who, by age or development, is in a relationship of responsibility, trust or power; the activity being intended to gratify or satisfy the needs of the other person. Child sexual abuse involves forcing or enticing a child to take part in sexual activities, whether or not the child is aware of what is happening. The activities may involve physical contact and penetrative or non-penetrative acts. This may also include involving children in looking at, or in the production of, pornographic material, or encouraging children to behave in sexually inappropriate ways.
  • Neglect and Negligent Treatment is the inattention or omission on the part of the caregiver to provide for the development of the child in: health, education, emotional development, nutrition, shelter and safe living conditions, in the context of resources reasonably available to the family or caretakers and which causes, or has a high probability of causing, harm to the child’s health or physical, mental, spiritual, moral or social development. This includes the failure to properly supervise and protect children from harm as much as is feasible.
  • Emotional Abuse is the persistent emotional ill treatment of a child that adversely affects his or her self-perception and development. It may involve conveying to the child that he or she is worthless, unloved, and inadequate, or there only to meet the needs of another person; or imposing inappropriate expectations upon him/her. Acts include restricting movement, threatening, scaring, discriminating, scapegoating, corrupting, ridiculing, degrading, bullying, humiliating (e.g. asking potentially embarrassing questions, demanding potentially embarrassing action) or other non-physical forms of hostile or rejecting treatment.

 

4. Legal framework

The present policy is informed by the principles of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (ratified by Poland in 1991) and respects the rights of children that are guaranteed in the Constitution of the Republic of Poland.

Data protection for children: As provided for in the GDPR, children may consent to data processing in accordance with member state legislation. The legal rules in Poland are mainly set in the Personal Data Protection Act. The Act ensures the application of Regulation (EU) 2016/679 of the European Parliament and of the European Council, which was directly applicable in the Polish legal order and has been in force since May 25, 2018.

 

5. Domains of application and procedures

5.1 Recruitment and staff procedures

BP includes questions about risk of harm to children and safeguarding child and youth during interview processes. All BP staff is required to accept the Child Protection Policy as part of their employment contracts.

5.2 Data protection procedures

All employees, trainees and volunteers of BP must respect the procedures regarding data protection before the start of the activities, therefore ensuring participants information, approval and consent. In the case of children and youth under 18 years old, the Consent form will be signed by one of the parents/ legal guardian.

Information is managed as confidential and is communicated to others without the consent of the persons concerned only if the duty of protecting the children against any prejudice is above the individual right to intimacy/ private life.

In situations of indirect activities with children (up to 18 years old), e.g. in projects in which BP works with teachers and teachers subsequently work with their students, the teachers or other educators who are in direct contact with the children have the responsibility of ensuring that children’s data protection is respected. In this regard, BP provides information, guidance and templates of consent forms to the educators, if needed.

Personal data is collected, stored and processed as confidential and is never communicated to third parties without the consent of the persons concerned, unless the duty of protecting the children against any prejudice is above the individual right to intimacy/private life.

5.3 Development of trainings, education programmes and educational resources

BP is committed to safeguarding all children, irrespective of ability, ethnicity, faith, gender, sexuality and culture. In all the projects, educational programmes and other activities BP will promote and respect the Framework of Competences for Democratic Culture.

As part of digital citizenship education, Big Picture will address:

  • privacy concerns, regarding the protection of one’s own information and that of others, identity management and being in control of our online profile, by informing the children (up to 18 years old) about relevant risks
  • online security and a person’s awareness of how online actions and behaviour can create risks.

The privacy and security domain covers competences such as effectively managing information shared online and using tools (navigation filters, passwords, anti-virus and firewall software) to avoid dangerous or unpleasant situations or to retain some sense of anonymity. Big Picture will act on educating children to be responsible stakeholders in the digital society and economy, so that the internet becomes an environment of trust, where fundamental human rights and civic mindedness prevail.

5.4 Children direct participation to BP’s activities

The principles of the procedures regarding children direct participation to BP’s activities are:

  • Protecting children’s rights and their best
  • Placing the child as the first priority when dealing with all identified or suspected cases of child
  • Empowering and educating children on their rights, personal safety and steps they can take, if there is a problem.

In organising the activities that will involve children participation, BP will:

  • Ensure the equal opportunity to participate in programs regardless of gender, sexual orientation, disability, ethnicity or
  • Respect all data protection procedures regarding the children, youth and individuals featured in public materials prior to
  • Inform children (up to 18 years old) and their parents or legal guardians about their legal rights regarding personal data protection, as well as their legal rights regarding protection from harm.
  • Educate the staff and partners directly involved in activities with children about the children’s legal rights regarding personal data protection, as well as their legal rights regarding protection from harm.
  • Ensure appropriate adults supervision in situations of face-to-face interaction. At least two adults are present in activities involving children (up to 18 years old).
  • Reduce the risk of harm, by ensuring appropriate adult supervision in situations of face- to-face

BP’s staff and representatives will:

  • avoid any action or behaviour that may be inappropriate or potentially offensive to minors. BP advises to have at least two adults present with
  • report any concern, suspicion or awareness of possible abuse or mistreatment of minors. encourage children to participate in order to develop their ability to protect themselves.
  • respect the rights of children and treat them with respect, honesty and dignity.

BP’s staff and representatives are strictly prohibited to:

  • hit, physically attack, physically or mentally abuse a
  • participate in sexual activity or have sexual relations with persons under the age of 18, regardless of the definition of adulthood or legally recognized consensus in different countries. Article 200 § 1 of the Criminal Code of 6 June 1997 (1997 Official Journal, No. 88, Item 553) states as follows: “Whoever subjects a minor under 15 years of age to sexual intercourse or makes him/her submit to another sexual act or to perform such an act shall be subject to the penalty of the deprivation of liberty for a term of between 1 and 10 “
  • have relations with minors that can in any way be considered exploitation, harassment or abuse; use inappropriate language or give inappropriate and offensive suggestions and
  • act to embarrass, humiliate, belittle or despise a minor or commit any other form of emotional
  • discriminate against minors or treat some of them separately, while excluding

 

5.5 Reporting incidents

Definition: concerns or allegations referring to harm-related incidents that directly involve participants to the Big Picture’s activities.

Who can report: any child, parent, caregiver, person, or partner organisation working for or with Big Picture.

How to report:

 

For all reported child-abuse incidents, BP requires that the child’s best interest be the first priority. In addition, all incidents must be dealt with promptly, and they must be handled in a confidential manner that does not harm the victim or the person reporting the abuse.

It is mandatory for BP professionals to report all forms of violence against children that were. BP will collaborate with local and national Child Protection Authorities in any situation where a child abuse is reported.

 

6. Response protocol and responsibility

The President of the Big Picture is primarily responsible for ensuring the effective implementation of the Child Protection Policy and its procedures.

The President of the Big Picture designates a Child Protection Responsible Person who is responsible for:

  • Documenting and archiving all incidents, inquiries, complaints and responses regarding harm against children.
  • Ensuring prompt referrals to relevant authorities, with respect for the protection of the victims.
  • Monitoring and evaluating the Child Protection Policy and its procedures, and reporting the results to the BP Board.
  • Coordinating consultations with children (up to 18 years old) for updating the present Child Protection Policy.
  • Ensuring the policy is reviewed at least during each of the strategic planning meetings of the organisation.

 

7. Publication and Review

This Child Protection Policy is published on the website of Big Picture.

This CPC and will be regularly reviewed, in accordance with changes in legislation and guidance on the protection of children, following any changes within BP.