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appendix 2
World Vision Partnership Child Protection Policy (summary)
World Vision Child Protection Standards were issued in January of 2000 and were based on
Guidelines on Child Protection which had been introduced five years earlier. World Vision developed
and distributed the standards as a means of reducing the risk to sponsored and non-sponsored
children in World Vision projects from any form of abuse or neglect, including sexual abuse.
Each office is responsible for the development and implementation of child protection policies and
standards. The policies, while consistent with the Partnership policy, must also reflect laws of the
country in which each World Vision entity operates. Taking into consideration the local context,
each office’s child protection policy and standards must include:
1. Awareness raising: While the policy guidelines acknowledge that “the majority of sexual abuse
takes place within the family and community”, emphasis is placed on raising awareness of staff,
board members and volunteers in the definition of exploitation, abuse (IN ALL FORMS) and neglect.
2. Programme planning: An assessment of the circumstances of children is to be incorporated into
all baseline surveys, along with availability of local childcare professionals as community resources
and support services. From the assessment of both vulnerabilities of children and resources
available, World Vision plans programs to prevent child abuse and plans for rehabilitation for
children who have been abused. In all stages of programme planning and implementation, children
are to be involved, recognising that the responsibility lies with adults.
3. Guidelines for recruiting and screening of personnel: Guidelines set out strict procedures for
screening of employees, board of director/advisory council candidates, volunteers and interns.
Police checks are routinely required for staff, board members and volunteers where this is
permissible by local law.
4. Behaviour protocols: Behaviour protocols are rules of appropriate and proper behaviour to protect
both children from abuse and staff from false accusations of inappropriate behaviour or abuse.
5. Allegation/incident management plan: Guidelines set out an effective reporting procedure and
response plan for handling any allegations or suspicions of alleged misconduct toward children.
6. Protection of children in sponsorship programs: Recognising that children become exposed
either directly or indirectly to external entities through sponsorship, strict guidelines are set for
the management of sponsor relations, children’s photos, and all information relating to the child.
7. Visits to World Vision projects: While acknowledging the importance of field visits by supporters
and others, strict rules for both the Support Office and National offices reflect national and local
sensitivities with the aim to prevent abuse or inappropriate behaviour by a visiting sponsor.
8. Advocacy: All World Vision offices’ policies are to include plans to be involved in community,
national and regional activities to promote the rights of children and seek their protection.
They are encouraged to develop and support policy and research capacities that seek to change
structures and systems that jeopardise the rights of children, especially girl children.
9. Communication about children: Communication about children should reflect images that are
decent and respectful, not presenting them as victims. Special care must be given to protect
children’s identities and geographic locations.
10. General confidentiality: Emphasis is placed on maintaining confidentiality of any person involved
while cases are under investigation by the appropriate management or Crisis Management Team.
11. Partner organisations: World Vision’s Child Protection Policies and Standards apply to partner
organisations involved in providing services to children and agreements are established accordingly.
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