All children have the right to be protected from abuse, neglect, exploitation and violence under
the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC). Sadly, many of these acts
are carried out by people children know and should be able to trust; or by people in places that
they should feel safe.

Keeping children safe is everyone’s responsibility. For this reason, organizations and
professionals who work with children must do their part and ensure that their policies and
practices reflect this responsibility. A Child Safeguarding Charter helps organizations
formulate the code of conduct for its child related workers as an initial step to develop a Child
Safeguarding Policy. We hope to draw the community’s awareness, gather support and join
hands to protect children.

Child Safe

guarding Charter

Say “NO” to Physical Abuse, Sexual Abuse, Neglect, and Psychological Abuse

Our staff and associates should: 

• Respect the rights, integrity, and dignity of children regardless of their differences in age, sex,
  gender, nationality, ethnic origin, race, language, religious belief, ability, disability, health, socio
  economic or cultural background, or any other circumstances.
• Display high standards of professional behaviour at all times, providing a positive role model for
  children and young people.
• Cooperate fully and confidentially in any investigation of concerns or allegations of abuse to
  children.
• Respond to any concerns, suspicions, incidents or allegations of actual or potential abuse to a child or young person, and report in accordance with established procedures.

Our staff and associates should not:

• Hit, physically assault or physically abuse children including the use of corporal punishment or
  any harmful practices.
• Engage in any form of sexual activity or develop physical/sexual relationships with service
  clients under the age of 18 regardless of the age of sexual consent in Hong Kong.
• Use language which is intended to shame, humiliate, degrade or belittle the child, or otherwise
  offensive or abusive, sexually provocative, culturally insensitive, or otherwise perpetrate any
  form of emotional abuse.
• Leave children unattended or unsupervised for an excessive or inappropriate timeframe that might
  result in harm or potential harm to them.
• Use any computers, mobile phones, cameras, video or digital cameras or any such medium to
  exploit, harass or bully children; or to access, view, create, download or distribute child
  pornography, or any other abusive images of children.

The above is not an exhaustive or exclusive list. The principle is that staff and associates should avoid
actions or behavior which may constitute poor practice or potentially abusive behavior. Children should
also be EMPOWERED about their rights, what is acceptable and unacceptable, and what they can do if
there is a problem.