Why Safeguarding? Safeguarding is IRC Germany's proactive approach to protecting people who participate in our programmes. The concept is designed to protect vulnerable groups in particular from any harm or abuse. Safeguarding includes various measures to identify, minimise 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 who are cared for in institutions, for example, are exposed to an increased risk of abuse, as potential perpetrators often seek direct access to potential victims. However, dependency relationships and support contexts can also create power imbalances in adults that enable and favour abuse. At IRC Germany, we go to great lengths to make our programmes safe. Nevertheless, it can happen that you are wronged by IRC staff, their partners and other participants.
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 organisations as well as suppliers also undertake to comply with them.
IRC Germany classifies as abusive behaviour all forms of
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 (sexualised) violence and abuse is at the heart of everything we do:
There are various ways to lodge a complaint with IRC. Report even if you are not sure whether you have been the victim of abusive behaviour.
By telephone, e-mail or in person with IRC employees you trust
[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 behaviour 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.
