Welcome to Module 1 where we will cover some of KTF’s most important policies and processes including:

PSEAH Policy
Child Protection Policy
Safeguarding Procedures

This module will take approximately 40-60 minutes to complete.

Prevention of Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Harassment

KTF takes the prevention of sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment very seriously. It is both our responsibility and your responsibility to ensure that the people and communities in which we work to support are protected from all types of sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment. This duty of care extends to all staff, volunteers, board members and partners.

In this learning module, we will first discover exactly what constitutes sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment. Then we will explore the repercussions should a SEAH offence be committed before finally looking at KTF’s PSEAH reporting mechanisms that must be followed should you witness any SEAH incidents.

At the conclusion of this module, you’ll be asked to complete a Safeguarding survey demonstrating your understanding of PSEAH, acknowledging your understanding of and adherence to KTF’s PSEAH Policy and evidencing your completion of this module. Please contact your KTF staff representative should you have any questions as you undertake this module.

Let’s get started with this video.

1.1 What is SEAH?

SEAH stands for Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Harassment. Below are the definitions associated with SEAH as per KTF’s PSEAH Policy.

Abuse of Authority:

The improper use of a position of influence, power or authority by an individual against a stakeholder, beneficiary or community member. This is particularly serious when an individual misuses his/her influence, power or authority to negatively impact vulnerable people from locations where the core project activities of KTF are carried out. It can include a one-off incident or a series of incidents. Abuse of authority may also include misuse of power that creates a hostile or offensive environment, which includes - but is not limited to - the use of intimidation, threats, blackmail or coercion.

Sexual Exploitation:

Sexual exploitation means any actual or attempted abuse of position of vulnerability, differential power or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. This includes acts such as transactional sex, solicitation of transactional sex, and exploitative relationships. Sexual exploitation can occur in any environment in which activities are carried out by KTF personnel (staff, board members, partners and volunteers.)

Sexual Abuse:

Sexual abuse means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions. It covers sexual offences including but not limited to: attempted rape (which includes attempts to force someone to perform oral sex); and sexual assault (which includes non-consensual kissing and touching).

Sexual Harassment:

Sexual harassment occurs when a person makes an unwelcome sexual advance, or an unwelcome request for sexual favours to another person, or engages in any other unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature in relation to another person. Sexual harassment has nothing to do with mutual attraction or consenting friendships, whether sexual or otherwise.

Sexual harassment is unlawful in pre-employment activities and in the workplace. The workplace includes any place a person goes for the purpose of carrying out any function in relation to his/her employment and can also extend to social functions.

Sexual harassment includes: any unwelcome sexual advance, request for sexual favour, verbal or physical conduct or gesture of a sexual nature, or any other behaviour of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offence or humiliation to another. Sexual harassment may occur when it interferes with work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive environment. It can include a one-off incident or a series of incidents. Sexual harassment may be deliberate, unsolicited and coercive. Both male and female colleagues can either be the victim or offender. Sexual harassment may also occur outside the workplace and/or outside working hours.

Vulnerable adults: Those aged over 18 years who:

Are unable to take care over themselves/protect themselves from harm or exploitation; or
Due to their gender, mental or physical health, disability, ethnicity, religious identity, sexual orientation, economic or societal status, or as a result of disasters and conflicts, are deemed to be at risk.

1.2 No Excuse for Abuse Video

Please now take a few minutes to watch the video - No Excuse for Abuse.

1.3 Understanding KTF’s PSEAH Principles

Thanks for watching the training video. Remember, any questions that you may have can be asked at anytime. Please contact your KTF representative. Now that you have a greater understanding of what SEAH is, it is time to explore KTF’s PSEAH Principles. In this section you will learn about what you can and cannot do as a partner representing KTF in the field.

In order to protect the most vulnerable populations, particularly vulnerable adults and children, and to ensure the integrity of KTF’s international activities, the following principles must be adhered to:

Sexual exploitation, abuse, harassment and child abuse by KTF Employees, Partners and Related Personnel constitute acts of gross misconduct and are therefore grounds for termination of employment/engagement.
Sexual activity with children (persons under the age of 18) is prohibited regardless of the age of the majority or age of consent locally. Mistaken belief in the age of the child is not a defence.
Exchange of money, employment, goods, or services for sex, including sexual favours or other forms of humiliating, degrading or exploitative behaviour by KTF Employees and Related Personnel is prohibited. This includes the exchange of assistance that is due to programme participants.
Sexual relationships between KTF Employees/Related Personnel and programme participants/beneficiaries are strongly discouraged since they are based on inherently unequal power dynamics. Such relationships undermine the credibility and integrity of KTF’s development work.
Where a KTF Employee, Partner or Related Personnel develops concerns or suspicions regarding sexual abuse, exploitation, harassment or child abuse by a fellow worker or stakeholder, whether within KTF or not, he or she must immediately report such concerns via KTF’s reporting mechanisms
KTF Employees and Related Personnel are obliged to create and maintain an environment that prevents sexual exploitation, abuse, harassment and child abuse and promotes the implementation of this Policy. KTF senior management have particular responsibilities to support and develop systems, which maintain this environment.
KTF has a zero tolerance stance on breaches of this PSEAH policy. Should any KTF Employees, Volunteers, Board Directors, Partners, Stakeholders, Related Personnel and Program Participants commit any act of sexual exploitation, abuse, child abuse and/or harassment, appropriate procedures will be followed including but not limited to immediate suspension pending an investigation, termination of employment, termination of agreement, removal from the project (as an employee, partner, stakeholder or beneficiary), reported to authorities (including police, local government and the Australian Government).

1.4 Project Zero & PSEAH Standards

Following regulatory practice and best practice from the United Nations, ACFID and DFAT, KTF implements a ZERO TOLERANCE approach to breaches of its PSEAH Policy, Child Protection Policy and Fraud & Corruption Policy. This means that should you commit an offence by breaching any of these polices, there will be consequences.

KTF Employees, Partners and Related Personnel must uphold and promote the highest standards of ethical and professional conduct and abide by KTF’s policies. These Standards apply to all KTF Employees, Partners and Related Personnel and are intended to provide an illustrative guide for Employees, Partners and Related Personnel to make decisions that exemplify KTF’s Code of Conduct and core values in their professional and personal lives. Any violation of these Standards is a serious concern and may result in disciplinary action, up to and including dismissal, in accordance with applicable laws.

1. KTF Employees, Partners and Related Personnel will not request any service or sexual favour from participants or beneficiaries of KTF programs, children or others in the communities in which KTF works, in return for protection or assistance, and will not engage in sexually exploitative or abusive relationships.

2. KTF Employees, Partners and Related Personnel will not engage in any sexual activity with any program participant or beneficiary.

3. KTF Employees, Partners and Related Personnel will not exchange money, employment, goods or services for sex, including sexual favours or other forms of humiliating, degrading or exploitative behaviour. This prohibition against exchange of money for sex means KTF Employees and Related Personnel may not engage the services of sex workers in the field.

4. KTF Employees, Partners and Related Personnel are prohibited from transactional sex in the field while engaged in the delivery of KTF business. Transactional sex refers to a sexual exchange of a non-marital, non-commercial nature, motivated by an implicit assumption that sex will be exchanged for material support or other benefits.

5. KTF Employees, Partners and Related Personnel are prohibited from participating in sex of any nature whilst on duty travel in the field and, or representing KTF in the field - consensual or otherwise. This clause does not extend to a de-facto couple posted to a community in the field together for a period of more than 10 days, whereby their relationships was pre-established prior to the duty travel or field posting.

6. KTF’s Employees, Partners and Related Personnel must refrain from sexual activity with any person under the age of 18, regardless of the local age of consent, i.e. the local or national laws of the country in which the employee works. Ignorance or mistaken belief of the child’s age is not a defence. Failure to report such a relationship will lead to disciplinary action pursuant to KTF’s Child Protection Policy.

7. KTF Employees, Partners and Related Personnel will not support or take part in any form of sexual exploitative, abusive and, or harassment activities, including, for example, child pornography or trafficking of human beings.

8. KTF Employees, Partners and Related Personnel will treat all children with respect and not use language or behaviour towards children that is inappropriate, harassing, abusive, sexually provocative, demeaning or culturally inappropriate. KTF Employees, Partners and Related Personnel will adhere to KTF’s Child Protection Policy and Photography Guidelines when photographing or filming a child for work-related purposes.

9. KTF Employees, Partners and Related Personnel will not hire children for domestic or other labour which is inappropriate given their age or developmental stage, which interferes with their time available for education and recreational activities or which places them at significant risk of injury.

10. KTF non-national Employees, Partners and Related Personnel are prohibited from engaging in fraternisation when working in-country and in the field. Fraternisation refers to any relationship occurring in the course of conducting business, that involves — or appears to involve — partiality, preferential treatment or improper use of rank or position including but not limited to voluntary sexual behaviour. It includes sexual behaviour not amounting to intercourse, a close and emotional relationship involving public displays of affection or private intimacy and the public expression of intimate relations.

11. KTF Employees, Partners and Related Personnel must immediately report any concerns or suspicions they have regarding possible violations of this Policy by a KTF Employee, Partner or Related Personnel in line with KTF’s complaints reporting and whistle-blower policies and procedures.

12. KTF Employees, Partners and Related Personnel will prevent, oppose and combat all exploitation, abuse and harassment of people, particularly incidents relating to women and vulnerable adults.

13. Sensitive information related to incidents of sexual exploitation, abuse, harassment or child abuse whether involving colleagues, program participants or others in the communities in which KTF works shall be shared only with enforcement authorities including Government agencies and KTF agents and employees of the appropriate seniority or function who have a need to know such information, or KTF employees who have signed KTF’s Sexual Exploitation, Abuse & Harassment Confidentiality Agreement. Breach of this policy may put others at risk and will therefore result in disciplinary procedures.

14. Directors, managers and supervisors at all levels have particular responsibilities to support and develop systems that maintain an environment that facilitates implementation of this policy and which is free of sexual exploitation, abuse, harassment and child abuse.

1.5 Awareness Posters

KTF has designed and developed a number of awareness posters for use by staff and partners internally as well as external facing awareness posters (for example; to be used within communities or at KTF’s college sites). These posters have been printed and installed at all of KTF’s Colleges and Offices throughout Papua New Guinea and Australia and all staff have received and will continue to receive extensive PSEAH training.

As our partner, you are welcome to take and use these posters within your own organisation as well as during the implementation of our project together. To access, please right click each poster and click ‘download.’

1.6 Reporting SEAH

At KTF, senior management will treat all concerns and complaints quickly, fairly and seriously. Treatment of complaints or reports will be undertaken in line with the Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Harassment Complaint Resolution Procedures and Child Protection Policy & Procedures. Employees and volunteers will not be disadvantaged in their employment conditions or opportunities as a result of lodging a complaint. Likewise, partners will not be disadvantaged in their contract or agreement conditions as a result of lodging a complaint.

No employee, volunteer or partner will be penalised or disadvantaged as a result of raising legitimate concerns or complaints relating to sexual exploitation, abuse, harassment, child abuse or abuse of authority. Where a complaint is substantiated it may result in disciplinary action up to and including termination of employment, contract or agreement and prosecution. If unsubstantiated or found to be vexatious it may also result in disciplinary action against the complainant.

If you have experienced, witnessed or suspect sexual exploitation, abuse and/or harassment, you can report this via one or more of the following mechanisms:

KTF Line Manager or your KTF Representative
KTF PSEAH Working Group Chair: Mike, +61 423 711 197 or +675 7269 7454
KTF CEO: Gen, +61 412 869 210 or +675 7068 7647
KTF PSEAH Board Report: Peter, +61 410 669 444
You can also remain completely anonymous by placing your report in the complaints boxes located at the Colleges or in the KTF PoM or Sydney offices; or
Email: PSEAH@kokodatrackfoundation.org Call: +61 28789 0767

2. Child Protection

KTF takes the protection of children very seriously. It is both our responsibility and your responsibility to ensure that the people and communities in which we work to support are protected from all types of child abuse. This duty of care extends to all staff, volunteers, board members and partners.

In this section, we will first discover exactly what constitutes child abuse. Then we will explore the repercussions should child harm be committed before finally looking at KTF’s Child Protection reporting mechanisms that must be followed should you witness any child abuse incidents.

At the conclusion of this section, you’ll be asked to complete a Safeguarding survey demonstrating your understanding of child protection, acknowledging your understanding of and adherence to KTF’s Child Protection Policy and evidencing your completion of this module. Please contact your KTF staff representative should you have any questions as you undertake this module.

Whilst this section is based on KTF’s Child Protection Policy and will guide you through the components of the policy, you can access and download the full policy by visiting our Policies section on our public facing website by clicking on the link below.

Click to access KTF's Child Protection Policy (and other policies)

Let’s get started on our Child Protection training with these two videos.

2.1 Setting the scene

KTF is committed to the protection of children from harm, abuse and exploitation. We are committed to taking all necessary steps to ensure that all children and young people with whom we work are provided a child safe environment at all times.

Please take a couple of minutes to watch this scene setting video from our friends at World Vision International.

2.2 What is Child Protection, Child Safeguarding, Child Abuse and other key definitions?

Child Protection: is the term used to describe the responsibilities and activities undertaken to prevent or stop children from any form of harm, particularly arising from abuse, neglect, and/or exploitation.

Child Safeguarding: actions, policies and procedures that create and maintain protective environments for children including to protect them from exploitation and abuse of all kinds.

Child Abuse: abuse happens to male and female children of all ages, ethnicity and social backgrounds, abilities, sexual orientation, religious beliefs and political persuasion. Child abuse includes physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, neglect, bullying, child labour and family violence. Abuse can be inflicted on a child by both men and women, as well as by children/young people themselves. Professionals and other adults working with children in a position of trust can also abuse children.

A Child or Young Person: any person under the age of 18 years.

Duty of Care: is a common law concept that refers to the responsibility of the organisation to provide children with an adequate level of protection against harm. It is the duty of the organisation to protect children from all reasonably foreseeable risk, including abuse, neglect, exploitation, grooming, and/or injury.

Emotional Abuse: occurs when a child is repeatedly rejected or frightened by threats including inappropriate verbal or symbolic acts toward a child, or a pattern of failure over time to provide a child with adequate non-physical nurture or emotional availability. This may involve name calling, being put down or continual coldness from parent, responsible adult or caregiver; to the extent that it affects the child’s physical and emotional growth.

Employee: any person who provides services for compensation to KTF and whose duties are under the direction of the KTF.

Exploitation: Commercial or other exploitation of a child refers to the use of the child in work or other activities for the benefit of others that are to the detriment of the child’s physical and mental health, education, or moral and social- emotional development. It includes, but is not limited to, child labour, child trafficking and child sexual exploitation.

Grooming: A behaviour that makes it easier for an offender to procure a child, or who the offender believes to be a child, for sexual activity. This can occur in person or through electronic communication. For example, an offender might build a relationship of trust with a child, and then seek to sexualise that relationship; including but not limited to, encouraging romantic feelings or exposing the child to sexual concepts through pornography.

Harm: Any detrimental effect on a child’s physical, psychological, or emotional wellbeing. Harm may be caused by physical, emotional, financial, or sexual abuse, neglect, and/or exploitation whether intended or unintended.

Neglect: is the persistent failure or the deliberate denial to provide the child with clean water, food, shelter, sanitation or supervision or care (where the adult or caregiver is in a position to do so) to the extent that the child’s health and development are placed at risk.

Physical Abuse: occurs when a person purposefully uses physical force or threatens to use physical force against a child or young person that results in – or has a high likelihood of resulting in – harm to the child. This may take the form of slapping, punching, shaking, kicking, burning, shoving or grabbing. The injury may take the form of bruises, cuts, burns or fractures.

Sexual Abuse: occurs when a child or young person is used by an older or bigger child, adolescent or adult for his or her own sexual stimulation or gratification - regardless of the age of majority or age of consent locally. These can be contact or non contact acts, including sexualised language, voyeurism, fondling genitals or breasts, masturbation, oral sex, vaginal or anal penetration by a penis, finger or any other object and exposing a child to, or involving a child in pornography.

Volunteer: Any person who enters into KTF’s programs, or offers any service of their own free will, and who does not receive compensation for such a service.

Partner: Any organisation who partners with KTF for the implementation of a project or activity. Can be financial or co-delivery delivery partners, formal or informal.

*Note the above definitions of Child Abuse, Emotional Abuse, Exploitation, Neglect, Physical Abuse and Sexual Abuse includes a child or children being present (hearing or seeing) while a parent or sibling is subjected to any of the above.

2.3 Understanding KTF’s Child Protection Guidelines & Principles

KTF believes that any form of child abuse and exploitation is unacceptable and will not be tolerated.

KTF believes that all children should be equally protected regardless of their gender, nationality, religious or political beliefs, age, sexual orientation, ability, family and social background and culture, economic status, physical or mental health and criminal background.
The protection of children is the responsibility of all personnel, partners and associates of KTF.
All prospective personnel shall be made aware of KTF’s commitment to child protection and are subject to the outcome of a criminal background / working with children check (in accordance with relevant State/Provincial and Federal/National laws). In limited circumstances it may prove impossible to obtain a reliable criminal record check. A statutory declaration, or local legal equivalent, outlining efforts made to obtain a foreign police check, and disclosing any charges and spent convictions related to child exploitation, may be accepted instead (upon the discretion of the CEO and/or Child Protection Working Group).
In the best interest of children, KTF will not knowingly employ or engage anyone with a conviction for child abuse, paedophilia, or related offences.

KTF will undertake in-depth risk assessment related to child safeguarding for all of its programs and will regularly monitor implementation of risk mitigation strategies and risk outcomes.
Where possible, children will be consulted in the development of the Child Protection Policy and the implementation of child safe practices. Children in our programs should be given opportunities to express their views on matters affecting them.
Adherence to this Child Protection Policy is a mandatory requirement for all personnel, partners and associates of KTF.

2.4 Project Zero & Child Protection Standards

KTF personnel and partners are responsible for maintaining a professional role with children, which means establishing and maintaining clear professional boundaries that serve to protect everyone from misunderstandings or a violation of the professional relationship.

All KTF personnel and partners must sign and adhere to KTF’s Child Protection Code of Conduct (see Appendix A). The Child Protection Code of Conduct clearly outlines what is acceptable and unacceptable behaviour in relation to working with children and young people.

The Child Protection Code of Conduct can be found at the bottom of this module. It is a KTF requirement that at least one representative from a partner organisation read and sign the Child Protection Code of Conduct as part of the completion of this training module. This representative will do so on behalf of the partner organisation.

All other staff members, board members, volunteers or downstream partners of the partner organisation who will be visiting project locations and/or communities where children will be will also be required to read and sign KTF’s Child Protection Code of Conduct. These must be completed and submitted to KTF prior to travel.

It is also a requirement that partner organisations have their own child protection policies and procedures in place that must be adhered to in ADDITION to KTF’s Child Protection Policy.

2.5 Personel Engagement Procedures

Recruitment and screening of personnel and associates must reflect KTF’s commitment to protect children by ensuring checks and procedures are in place to screen out anyone who may be unsuitable to be in contact with children and young people and attract the safest people who share KTF’s values.

This policy commits KTF to preventing a person from working with children if they pose an unacceptable risk to children. All employment contracts must contain provisions for dismissal, suspension or transfer to other duties for any personnel who breach the Child Protection Policy or Child Protection Code of Conduct.

The following principles must be adhered to by KTF in recruitment of all KTF personnel including employees, directors, consultants, contractors, volunteers and partners and it’s expected that these processes are also followed by partners in their own child protection processes:

All prospective personnel shall be made aware of KTF’s commitment to child protection and are subject to the outcome of a criminal background / working with children check (in accordance with relevant State/Provincial and Federal/National laws). In limited circumstances it may prove impossible to obtain a reliable criminal record check. A statutory declaration, or local legal equivalent, outlining efforts made to obtain a foreign police check, and disclosing any charges and spent convictions related to child exploitation, may be accepted instead (upon the discretion of the CEO and/or Child Protection Working Group). Checks must also be conducted for each country in which the individual has lived for 12 months or longer over the last 5 years, and for the individual’s countries of citizenship.
In the best interest of children, KTF will not knowingly employ or engage anyone with a conviction for child abuse, paedophilia, or related offences.
All prospective employees, volunteers, partners, and board directors will be interviewed to determine suitability.
All interviewed applicants will be required to affirm their support of KTF’s commitment to child protection and demonstrate an understanding of its application.
Prior to an employment (paid or voluntary) or directorship offer being made, appropriate character reference checks of the prospective employee or director shall be conducted. All nominated referees will be asked whether, to their knowledge, there is anything in the prospective appointee’s character / past that could be considered inappropriate for someone working with KTF (and in particular, working with children). Targeted / behavioural based interview questions used to determine attitudes, motivations, and values in regards to children and young people and working with them.
A minimum of two verbal referee checks will be required for all preferred candidates in positions that have contact with children. This would include short- and long-term positions, volunteers on placement and consultants. The candidate’s most recent employer/supervisor must be one of these referees. KTF will verify the identity of the referee and make direct contact with each of these referees. Written references will not be accepted. KTF reserves the right to request additional references.
Prior to an offer of employment (paid or voluntary) or directorship being made, the successful applicant’s criminal background / working with children check results shall be considered before the position is formally occupied.
During the induction process, all employees, volunteers, interns and directors will be issued with KTF’s Code of Conduct and Child Protection Code of Conduct and be required to read and sign.
All positions will be subject to a probationary period depending on the length of the contract.
Child protection will be included in staff performance reviews.
KTF reserves the right to refuse employment or terminate any person’s employment that may pose a risk to children. Employment contracts will contain provisions for the prevention of a person working with children if they present an unacceptable risk to children. This may include suspension or transfer to other duties for any employee who is under investigation and provisions to dismiss any employee after an investigation or who breaches KTF’s Child Protection Policy or Child Protection Code of Conduct.

2.6 Use of visual aid and case studies of children

Please watch the video below outlining KTF’s regulations around photography and videography that will be required of you and your organisation’s personnel when collecting and using creative content.

Photography and life stories guidelines

Photography CONSENT FORM

2.7 Risk Assessments

Risk management is an ongoing part of KTF’s approach including work involving and affecting children. KTF conducts a child protection risk assessment on every activity and project involving and affecting children prior to commencement. Mitigation strategies are put in place for any risk identified and these (and any emerging risks) are actively monitored throughout the activity/program cycle. It is a requirement of partnering with KTF that your organisation also completes a risk assessment with mitigation strategies for projects that we are partnering on together that involve children both directly and indirectly.

Helpful guidelines on conducting a child protection risk assessment have been made available by DFAT below. You are welcome to utilise KTF’s Child Protection Risk Assessment Tool to determine the child protection risk and whether a full assessment of Child Protection Risk and application of DFAT’s nine minimum Child Protection Standards is required.

DFAT Risk Assessment guidelines

2.8 Child Safeguarding Education

KTF is committed to educating its personnel and associates about child protection and abuse, KTF’s Child Protection Policy and Code of Conduct, how to reduce risks, and how to create child safe environments. We will promote child safe practices which keep children safe in the organisation and in their own community, and provide information about child protection to the children and communities in which we work.

All personnel and partners are required to participate in child protection training as part of their induction, in annual intensive workshops and in refresher and targeted training depending on their role or contact with children.

KTF commits to undertake capacity building and training in child safeguarding with all development partners who work with us to implement programs that involve or affect children.

Ongoing training and education and on-delivery of child protection training is required from all of KTF’s partners. Should you organisation require assistance with this, please contact your KTF representative. KTF would also be happy to make this child protection module available to your downstream partners. Please request this by contacting your KTF representative.

2.9 Partner Engagement & Responsibilities

KTF determines a partners’ status as a child safe organisation by including child safeguarding in the partner appraisal process and commits to strengthening partners ability to protect children in our programs by investing in targeted capacity building, training and awareness raising on child safeguarding. This includes socialising the expectations extended to partners with regards to implementation of child safeguarding behaviours.

KTF ensures the partner complies with relevant child protection standards, including KTF’s Child Protection Policy and, when using DFAT Australian Aid funds, the Australian Aid’s Child Protection Policy standards.

For contractors or civil society organisations that partner with KTF (downstream partners) with the application of KTF’s DFAT funding they must have:

Their own Australian Aid compliant Child Protection Policy in place, or
A plan to develop their own Australian Aid compliant Child Protection Policy and sign on to the KTF Child Protection Policy in the interim.

KTF works with partners to undertake a child protection risk assessment for all programs and activities working with children, that have contact with children, or impact on children, this is monitored throughout the life of the project cycle.

2.10 Awareness Posters

2.11 Reporting and Processing Allegations of Child Abuse

KTF considers harm to children, from acts of abuse, exploitation of and neglect, to be completely unacceptable. We will take all concerns and reports of child abuse seriously and act on these reports immediately. KTF is committed to a reporting process which is truthful, fair and professional.

It is mandatory for all KTF personnel, associates and partners to report any witnessed, suspected or alleged incidents of child exploitation or abuse or any breach of the Child Protection Policy or Child Protection Code of Conduct.

Where any personnel, associate or representative develops concerns or witnesses an incident regarding child abuse, neglect or sexual exploitation they must report such concerns to KTF’s CEO, COO or Child Protection Officer in Australia or the relevant position in KTF’s partner organisation in PNG.

KTF’s CEO can be contacted on: gen.nelson@ktf.ngo or +61 412 869 210
KTF’s COO can be contacted on: mike@ktf.ngo or +61 423 711 197
KTF’s Child Protection Officer can be contacted on: sage@ktf.ngo or +61 2 8789 0767
KTF’s Program Managers can be contacted on lydia@kokodatrackfoundation.org OR dominic@kokodatrackfoundation.org or +675 7457 4519
General KTF Phone: +61 2 8789 0767 OR +61 418 811 748

KTF will follow country specific processes and protocols for reporting and addressing allegations of child and young person related offences. KTF will also report any instances or reports of breaches of this policy and code of conduct to DFAT (childwelfare@dfat.gov.au) and any Australian Government managing contractors as required.

RESPONSE TO ALLEGATION OF ABUSE

Any employee, volunteer, director, donor, or project partner who becomes aware of possible abuse of a child, or who strongly suspects that abuse or exploitation has occurred, must report the information immediately to the CEO (or to a director of the board if the CEO is suspected of alleged abuse), COO or Child Protection Officer.

KTF will treat all concerns raised seriously and ensure that all parties will be treated fairly and the principles of natural justice will be a prime consideration. All reports will be handled professionally, confidentially and expediently.

In response to an alleged child abuse situation, KTF will:

Receive the allegation
Document the allegation by completing the DFAT child abuse incident reporting tool (accessible here)
Commence investigation of the allegation immediately
Notify the subject of the complaint and allow them the opportunity to state his or her perspective of the incident(s). An alleged perpetrator of child abuse will be suspended from their normal duties pending outcomes of the investigation
Gather and study background material and documentary evidence
Interview complainant
Interview victims if different from above
Interview witnesses if they exist
Conduct a second interview with the subject of the complaint
Write an investigation report
Report to local police and or child protection authority when it is suspected or becomes clear that a crime has been committed
Report to the Australian Federal Police when it is suspected or becomes clear that a crime has been committed regarding child sex tourism, child sex trafficking and child pornography
Report to local child protection services as necessary
Handle the concern internally if it is not a criminal matter
Conclude investigation with recommendations
The findings of the investigation and recommendation will be reviewed for appropriate disciplinary action by the CEO and appropriate members of the board of directors
Advise all parties of relevant aspects of action to be taken
Deal with the investigation in a timely manner from its commencement and as considered appropriate by the Board of Directors and advice from relevant authorities.

After appropriate investigation, any employee who has been found to have either been involved in the abuse of a child, or who was aware of such a situation but did not report it, will be subject to appropriate discipline, including possible termination of employment. Appropriate government authorities must be notified.

Confidentiality is a key principle of reporting and managing child protection concerns. All information regarding a child protection concern must only be shared with the designated Manager, CEO, or Child Protection Working Group. . All relevant KTF Employees (including the CEO, Child Protection Working Group members, Program Heads, and any other representative where agreed upon by the CEO) must sign and adhere to KTF’s Child Protection Confidentiality Agreement. The names of people involved and the details of the report will remain confidential. Information will only be released on a “need to know” basis or when required by Australian or overseas law or when a report to police or child protection authorities is made.

2.12 Child Friendly Disclosure

KTF has a child friendly complaints handling mechanism in place and children need to be aware that the mechanism exists and how to submit complaints. Formalities need to be reduced to the minimum absolutely necessary and children need to be able to submit a complaint directly to KTF personnel.

If a child discloses abuse, whatever the outcome, the child must be taken seriously. KTF personnel must remain calm and in control and reassure the child/young person that something will be done to keep him or her safe.

When a child or young person discloses they are experiencing harm or at risk of experiencing harm, you can show your care and concern for the child/young person by:

Listening carefully
Telling the child/young person you believe him or her
Telling the child/young person it is not their fault and he/she is not responsible for the abuse
Telling the child/young person you are pleased he/she told you.

The above processes must then be followed for reporting the claim, completing an investigation and making reports to authorities where relevant. Information for the child is an essential element of a child-friendly complaint mechanism and the child must be kept informed of the process, the status of the complaint, and the outcome.

2.13 Measures for Breach of Policy

The following measures can be applied for any personnel, associate, representative or partner who breaches the Child Protection Policy and / or Code of Conduct:

Meeting to discuss breach and opportunity for person to provide their account / understanding of the situation
Performance management
Further education on the Child Protection Policy and Code of Conduct
Formal warning and monitoring
Transfer to other duties
Suspension pending investigation
Internal investigation
Report to Police
Dismissal
These measures will apply alongside any criminal investigation where relevant.

PLEASE NOTE - below is a video hosted by ACFID & DFAT which explores Child Protection, PSEAH Safeguarding and Risk Management. Whilst watching the video is NOT A COMPULSORY part of this module, we’d encourage you to watch it and share it with your teams.

3. Safeguarding procedures

Please watch the following video on KTF’s Safeguarding procedures.

Understanding and Acknowledgment of KTF’s PSEAH Policy, Child Protection Policy, processes and reporting mechanisms

To ensure you understand and acknowledge KTF’s PSEAH Policy and Child Protection policy and processes and to record your completion of this training module, please complete the survey form below. Upon completion of the form, KTF will be notified and you will have successfully completed module 1.

Please don’t hesitate to contact your KTF representative or any KTF staff member if you have questions or concerns about KTF’s PSEAH or Child Protection measures.