MICHAEL TRUFOSA CLARICEMUGENYA FOUNDATION

Safeguarding & Child Protection Policy

Effective Date: 20/05/2026

The Michael Trufosa Clarice Mugenya Foundation is committed to creating and maintaining a safe, respectful, inclusive, and protective environment for children, youth, vulnerable adults, beneficiaries, volunteers, staff, partners, and members of the communities we serve.

The Foundation recognizes that every person has the right to dignity, protection, safety, and freedom from abuse, exploitation, harassment, discrimination, neglect, and harm.

This Safeguarding & Child Protection Policy outlines the standards, responsibilities, and procedures that guide the Foundation in preventing and responding to all forms of abuse or misconduct within our programmes, activities, partnerships, events, outreach initiatives, volunteer engagements, and digital platforms.

This policy is informed by internationally recognized safeguarding principles and child protection standards.

1. PURPOSE OF THIS POLICY

The purpose of this policy is to:

  • Protect children, youth, and vulnerable persons from harm
  • Promote a culture of safety, dignity, accountability, and respect
  • Prevent abuse, exploitation, harassment, neglect, and misconduct
  • Establish clear standards of behavior for staff, volunteers, and partners
  • Ensure concerns and incidents are properly reported and addressed
  • Promote safe programme delivery and community engagement
  • Uphold the Foundation's values and commitment to ethical humanitarian and community work

2. WHO THIS POLICY APPLIES TO

This policy applies to all persons associated with the Michael Trufosa Clarice Mugenya Foundation, including but not limited to:

  • Staff members
  • Volunteers
  • Interns
  • Consultants
  • Contractors
  • Community mobilizers
  • Programme officers
  • Event coordinators
  • Media teams
  • Donors and sponsors participating in Foundation activities
  • Partner organizations
  • Vendors and service providers
  • Any individual representing or acting on behalf of the Foundation

All individuals covered by this policy are expected to understand, comply with, and uphold its principles at all times.

3. OUR SAFEGUARDING COMMITMENT

The Michael Trufosa Clarice Mugenya Foundation has zero tolerance for:

  • Child abuse
  • Sexual exploitation
  • Harassment
  • Bullying
  • Intimidation
  • Exploitation of vulnerable persons
  • Gender-based violence
  • Neglect
  • Emotional or psychological abuse
  • Discrimination
  • Any form of harmful conduct

The Foundation is committed to ensuring that all programmes, outreach initiatives, events, and engagements are conducted in ways that prioritize the safety and wellbeing of all participants.

4. DEFINITIONS

a. Child

A child is any person under the age of 18 years.

b. Youth

For purposes of this policy, youth refers to individuals in the transition between adolescence and adulthood, particularly those participating in empowerment, mentorship, educational, or leadership programmes.

c. Vulnerable Adult

A vulnerable adult is any individual who may be unable to protect themselves from abuse, harm, neglect, or exploitation due to:

  • Age
  • Disability
  • Illness
  • Economic hardship
  • Social circumstances
  • Dependency
  • Emotional or psychological vulnerability

d. Safeguarding

Safeguarding refers to the actions, measures, and responsibilities undertaken to protect individuals from abuse, exploitation, neglect, and harm while promoting their welfare and dignity.

5. EXPECTED STANDARDS OF CONDUCT

All persons associated with the Foundation must:

  • Treat everyone with dignity and respect
  • Maintain professional boundaries
  • Act in the best interests of children and vulnerable persons
  • Avoid abusive, exploitative, discriminatory, or inappropriate behavior
  • Report safeguarding concerns promptly
  • Respect privacy and confidentiality
  • Promote safe and inclusive environments
  • Avoid situations that may place beneficiaries at risk

6. PROHIBITED CONDUCT

The following conduct is strictly prohibited:

  • Physical abuse or assault
  • Sexual harassment or exploitation
  • Grooming or inappropriate relationships
  • Verbal abuse or humiliation
  • Bullying or intimidation
  • Neglect or abandonment
  • Exploitative labor practices
  • Sharing inappropriate images or content
  • Discrimination based on gender, disability, ethnicity, religion, or social status
  • Unauthorized photography or recording of minors or vulnerable individuals
  • Misuse of authority, influence, or resources

Any violation of this policy may result in disciplinary action, termination of engagement, reporting to relevant authorities, or legal action where applicable.

7. SAFE ENGAGEMENT WITH CHILDREN & VULNERABLE PERSONS

When interacting with children or vulnerable individuals, Foundation representatives must:

  • Ensure activities are conducted in safe and supervised environments
  • Obtain appropriate consent for participation where necessary
  • Avoid isolated one-on-one situations where possible
  • Use respectful and age-appropriate communication
  • Ensure transportation and accommodation arrangements prioritize safety
  • Avoid inappropriate physical contact
  • Protect personal data and identity information
  • Respect cultural and community sensitivities while maintaining safeguarding standards

8. MEDIA, PHOTOGRAPHY & COMMUNICATION CONSENT

The Foundation recognizes the importance of storytelling, awareness creation, community engagement, and programme visibility. However, such activities must always prioritize dignity, privacy, and safety.

Before capturing or using:

  • Photographs
  • Videos
  • Audio recordings
  • Testimonials
  • Interviews
  • Stories involving children or vulnerable individuals

the Foundation shall seek appropriate consent from:

  • Parents or guardians where required
  • Authorized representatives
  • Participants themselves where appropriate

Media content shall never be used in a manner that:

  • Exploits individuals
  • Exposes beneficiaries to danger
  • Violates dignity or privacy
  • Creates stigma or discrimination
  • Misrepresents circumstances

9. ONLINE & DIGITAL SAFEGUARDING

The Foundation is committed to promoting safe digital engagement.

All staff, volunteers, and representatives must:

  • Use official communication channels responsibly
  • Protect confidential information
  • Avoid inappropriate online interactions
  • Prevent cyberbullying or digital harassment
  • Avoid sharing sensitive beneficiary information publicly
  • Follow responsible social media and communication practices

10. REPORTING SAFEGUARDING CONCERNS

Any safeguarding concern, suspicion, allegation, or incident involving abuse, exploitation, neglect, or misconduct must be reported immediately.

Reports may relate to:

  • Staff conduct
  • Volunteer behavior
  • Partner misconduct
  • Community incidents connected to Foundation activities
  • Abuse involving children or vulnerable adults
  • Unsafe programme practices

All reports shall be treated seriously, confidentially, and fairly.

The Foundation prohibits retaliation against anyone who reports concerns in good faith.

11. RESPONSE & INVESTIGATION

Upon receiving a safeguarding concern, the Foundation may:

  • Conduct internal reviews or investigations
  • Refer matters to appropriate authorities
  • Suspend individuals where necessary
  • Implement protective measures
  • Provide support or referrals for affected persons
  • Take disciplinary or corrective action

The safety and wellbeing of affected individuals shall remain the primary consideration throughout the process.

12. RECRUITMENT & SCREENING

The Foundation is committed to safe recruitment practices.

Where appropriate, recruitment and engagement processes may include:

  • Identity verification
  • Background checks
  • Reference checks
  • Safeguarding declarations
  • Code of conduct acknowledgment
  • Training and orientation on safeguarding responsibilities

13. TRAINING & AWARENESS

The Foundation shall promote safeguarding awareness through:

  • Orientation programmes
  • Staff and volunteer training
  • Community awareness initiatives
  • Safeguarding guidance and procedures
  • Ongoing education on child protection and ethical conduct

14. CONFIDENTIALITY & DATA PROTECTION

Safeguarding-related information shall be handled confidentially and shared only on a need-to-know basis or where disclosure is required for protection, investigation, or legal compliance.

The Foundation shall handle personal data in accordance with its Privacy Policy and applicable data protection laws.

15. POLICY REVIEW

This Safeguarding & Child Protection Policy may be reviewed and updated periodically to reflect:

  • Changes in law
  • Best practices
  • Operational needs
  • Emerging safeguarding risks
  • Community protection standards

16. CONTACT INFORMATION

Michael Trufosa Clarice Mugenya Foundation
Email: info@mtcmfoundation.org
Website: https://www.mtcmfoundation.org/