Compassion Australia’s Child Protection Code of Conduct

All people interacting with children and young people on behalf of Compassion Australia both overseas and in Australia will:

1. Endeavour to maintain a child-safe environment in the course of their work.
2. Treat children and young people with respect and value their ideas and opinions.
3. Be culturally sensitive when with children and young people, particularly with physical and verbal interactions.
4. Avoid being unnecessarily alone with a child or young person.
5. Ensure an appropriate relationship with children and young people.
6. Submit to the appropriate background or police checks as permissible by law prior to face-to-face contact with children.
7. Follow the instructions and requests of Compassion Australia staff and national office staff regarding interactions with children.
8. Respect the privacy of children, their families and teachers/carers, and only disclose information to people who have a need to know.
9. Take any form of child abuse seriously and report it to the proper staff or relevant authorities in a timely manner. This may include a child reporting abuse, witnessing a firsthand account of child abuse and/or observing concerning behaviours from colleagues, partners or other representatives. They will seek to do everything in their authority to ensure the child is removed from danger.

No person shall:

1. Shame, humiliate, oppress, belittle or degrade children or young people
2. Unlawfully discriminate against any child
3. Engage in any activity with a child or young person that is likely to physically or emotionally harm them
4. Initiate unnecessary physical contact with a child or young person, or do things of a personal nature for them that they can do for themselves
5. Arrange contact, including online contact, with children or young people outside of the organisation’s programs and activities
6. Photograph or video a child or young person without the consent of the child and his/her parents or guardians
7. Work with children or young people while under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs
8. Engage in open discussions of a mature or adult nature in the presence of children
9. Use inappropriate language in the presence of children
10. Visit a Compassion assisted child, their caregiver(s) and/or church outside the bounds of acceptable program or tours and visits standards
11. Travel alone with a Compassion assisted child, without prior approval and an approved Compassion representative, except in a life-threatening emergency where circumstances require immediate movement
12. Do anything in contravention of this policy, associated documents, training or other instruction.