Safeguarding at IRC Germany

Click here for simple language

Why Safeguarding? Safeguarding is IRC Germany's proactive approach to protecting people who participate in our programs. The concept is designed to protect vulnerable groups in particular from any harm or abuse. Safeguarding includes various measures to identify, minimize and prevent risks and to ensure the safety, well-being and self-determination of all participants.

Investigations into current cases of abuse show just how important safeguarding measures are. They show that children and young people in institutional care, for example, are exposed to an increased risk of abuse, as potential perpetrators often seek direct access to potential victims. However, power imbalances can also arise in adults through dependency relationships and support contexts, which enable and encourage abuse. At IRC Germany, we go to great lengths to make our programs safe. Nevertheless, it can happen that you are wronged by IRC staff, their partners and other participants.

What we do to protect against abuse

All employees of IRC Germany have accepted these voluntary commitments:

IRC requires its employees to comply with these guidelines. They apply to all employees, interns, volunteers, honorary staff, consultants and independent contractors, i.e. freelancers. In addition, visitors such as journalists, photographers, donors and partner organizations as well as suppliers also undertake to comply with them.

What does the term „abuse“ cover?

IRC Germany classifies as abusive behavior all forms of

        • physical abuse or punishment
        • emotional abuse
        • sexual abuse
        • Neglect
        • Disparagement
        • poor treatment
        • Exploitation
        • Violation of dignity
        • Photography or videography without consent
        • Unequal treatment of people
        • Exploitation of confidentiality

If this is done by IRC employees, their partners and other participants in our programs, please contact us. Contact us to us.

It is also possible to submit your report anonymously. Please use the following form Form.
We ask that you formulate the report as specifically as possible. A detailed description will help us to investigate the suspicion and take prompt action.
Important note: Your message will reach us anonymously via this form. If you would like to contact us, you can indicate this in the form or use this e-mail address: meldestelle@rescue.org

At IRC Germany, the will of survivors of (sexualized) violence and abuse is at the heart of everything we do:

        • Participants under the age of 18 are required to report. If you know or even suspect that someone under the age of 18 has experienced an assault in an IRC program, you must report this to the program manager.
        • We take a different approach with adults. We leave it up to those who have experienced protection violations to decide for themselves whether they want to receive support or not. We do not urge adults to go to the police or take legal action. Adult survivors do not have to participate in IRC's internal investigation procedures.
How can I get in touch?

There are several ways to file a complaint with IRC. Report even if you are not sure whether you have been the victim of abusive behavior.

By telephone, e-mail or in person with IRC employees you trust

IRC Germany is not the only place where violence and abuse can take place; this is also possible here:

    • in the school class, the residential group, in the club, in the neighborhood or at work
    • in local public transport (ÖPNV) or in private transport (car)
    • in the digital space through cyberbullying1, Cyberbullying2, Cybergrooming3, Sexting4, Stalking on gaming platforms, in emails, messengers and social networks
    • by cell phone via SMS, calls or the sending of photos and videos

Even if IRC Germany cannot help here, you can still take care of yourself. You can and should defend yourself! In any case, even if something happens at IRC, you can contact these offices:

[1] Cyberbullying refers to the use of digital media to deliberately harass, threaten or humiliate other people.

[2] Cyberbullying is the systematic harassment, threatening or degrading of a person via the internet or digital means of communication by a group of people.

[3] Cybergrooming refers to the targeted action of an adult via the Internet to establish an emotional bond with a child with the aim of committing sexual abuse.

[4] Sexting refers to the exchange of intimate messages, photos or videos, often with sexual content, via digital means of communication such as smartphones or social media.

SIMPLE LANGUAGE

Rules for protection on IRC Germany

Why do we need rules for protection?

Rules for protection mean that we protect people who participate in IRC Germany programs. Above all, we want to protect people who are particularly at risk, for example from injury, bad behavior or neglect. Safeguarding rules include many different things to identify, minimize and prevent danger. We want to make sure that everyone feels safe and can decide for themselves what they want.

Why are rules for protection important for IRC Germany?

There are studies that show, for example, that children and young people who are cared for in institutions are at a higher risk of becoming victims of bad behavior. Sometimes perpetrators even specifically look for potential victims. Adults can also become victims of bad behavior. At IRC Germany, we go to great lengths to make our programs safe. Nevertheless, it can happen that IRC employees or other participants behave badly.

What does IRC Germany do to prevent bad behavior?

All employees of IRC Germany have accepted rules to help us prevent bad behavior. These rules apply to all employees and others who work with IRC Germany. We are also committed to encouraging visitors such as journalists, photographers and other groups we work with to abide by these rules.

What is bad behavior?

Bad behavior can take many forms, for example physical or emotional abuse, inappropriate touching, insults or exploitation. If you have been the victim of bad behavior by IRC Germany staff or other participants, you can contact us.

At IRC Germany, we ensure that the victims of violence and bad behavior are our focus: If you are under the age of 18 and have been a victim of bad behavior in an IRC program or have witnessed bad behavior or are unsure if you have witnessed bad behavior, you must report it to the program manager. If you are an adult and have been the victim of bad behavior, you decide if you want help. We do not urge you to go to the police or take legal action. You also do not have to participate in IRC investigations.

How can you get help?

You can call us, send us an e-mail or talk to someone you trust at IRC Germany.

By phone, e-mail or in person with IRC employees you trust

If bad things have happened to you somewhere other than IRC Germany, there are other places you can turn to, for example the children's and young people's helpline, the emergency services, the telephone helpline or your local youth welfare office. You can and should defend yourself! Your contacts may be able to help:

Take a moment and think about which child from your work context would benefit from practicing affirmations. Then take a look at the Affirmation card set of the Vor-Sprung project and select a card that suits this child. Think about how you can use this card to work together with the child. Again, use the pen and paper you have provided

 

The child I'm thinking of always tries very hard not to make mistakes. If he does make a mistake, the reaction is very strong. The child often reacts with great anger, which it directs at itself and sometimes also at others.

Please take a moment and have a look at the Affirmation card set of the Vor-Sprung project.

Then select a card that suits this child. Think about how you can use this card to work together with the child. Again, use the pen and paper you have provided.

Take a moment to answer the following questions about the affirmation you have chosen. You are welcome to use the pen and paper provided.

➡️ Which affirmation have you chosen?

➡️ How does the selected affirmation make you feel?

➡️ What negative belief could be behind this affirmation? Or how could you reformulate the selected affirmation into a negative one?

➡️ Can you remember where this negative belief came from? From your parents? From school?

➡️ Where does this negative belief limit you? Where does it make your life difficult or prevent you from doing something?