Child Protection Policy
Child Protection Policy – Vikara The Voice of Change Foundation
Effective Date: May 17, 2026
Policy Owner: Vikara The Voice of Change Foundation
Applicable To: All employees, volunteers, interns, consultants, board members, vendors, visitors, and partner organizations associated with Vikara The Voice of Change Foundation.
1. Introduction
Vikara The Voice of Change Foundation is committed to creating a safe, respectful, and protective environment for all children associated with the organization. The Foundation works with children and young people through educational programs, awareness campaigns, emotional health initiatives, donation drives, community engagement activities, online learning sessions, and volunteer-led projects.
The organization recognizes that every child has the right to protection from abuse, exploitation, neglect, discrimination, violence, and any form of harm irrespective of gender, caste, religion, disability, socioeconomic background, or any other status.
This Child Protection Policy establishes the standards, responsibilities, procedures, and safeguards required to ensure the protection and well-being of children involved in any activity organized, supported, or represented by Vikara The Voice of Change Foundation.
2. Purpose of the Policy
The purpose of this policy is to:
Ensure the safety, dignity, and well-being of children.
Prevent child abuse, exploitation, neglect, harassment, and unsafe practices.
Provide clear guidelines for acceptable and unacceptable behavior.
Establish procedures for reporting and responding to child protection concerns.
Promote a culture of accountability, transparency, and child safeguarding.
Ensure compliance with applicable child protection laws in India.
3. Scope of the Policy
This policy applies to:
Trustees and board members.
Employees and staff members.
Volunteers and coordinators.
Interns and trainees.
Consultants and advisors.
Partner organizations and collaborating institutions.
Vendors, contractors, and service providers.
Visitors participating in activities involving children.
This policy applies during:
Offline educational sessions.
Events, workshops, camps, and outreach activities.
Online classes and virtual interactions.
Donation drives and community visits.
Transportation and field activities.
Social media and digital communication.
Any activity conducted under the name or authority of Vikara The Voice of Change Foundation.
4. Definitions
4.1 Child
A child refers to any person below the age of 18 years, in accordance with Indian law and international child rights standards.
4.2 Child Abuse
Child abuse includes any act or failure to act that results in actual or potential harm to a child. This may include:
a) Physical Abuse
Any intentional use of physical force causing injury, pain, or harm.
b) Emotional Abuse
Acts causing emotional harm, humiliation, intimidation, threats, bullying, isolation, or psychological distress.
c) Sexual Abuse
Any sexual activity involving a child, including inappropriate touching, exploitation, grooming, exposure to sexual content, or harassment.
d) Neglect
Failure to provide necessary care, supervision, protection, education, medical attention, or emotional support.
e) Exploitation
Use of a child for labor, publicity, financial gain, or any activity compromising the child’s dignity or rights.
5. Guiding Principles
Vikara The Voice of Change Foundation follows these guiding principles:
The best interests of the child shall always be the primary consideration.
Every child has equal rights to protection and safety.
Zero tolerance toward child abuse, exploitation, harassment, or misconduct.
Children should be treated with dignity, respect, and sensitivity.
Confidentiality must be maintained while handling child protection concerns.
All allegations and concerns must be taken seriously and responded to promptly.
Child participation and voice should be respected in a safe manner.
6. Code of Conduct
All representatives of Vikara The Voice of Change Foundation must:
6.1 Acceptable Conduct
Treat children respectfully and equally.
Maintain professional and appropriate boundaries.
Use positive and non-violent language.
Ensure activities are conducted in safe and supervised environments.
Obtain consent from guardians where required.
Report concerns, suspicions, or incidents immediately.
Encourage open and safe communication.
Respect the privacy and dignity of children.
6.2 Prohibited Conduct
The following actions are strictly prohibited:
Physical punishment or violent behavior.
Humiliation, verbal abuse, discrimination, or intimidation.
Inappropriate touching or physical contact.
Sexual comments, jokes, gestures, or conversations.
Being alone with a child in isolated spaces without authorization.
Sharing personal contact details unnecessarily.
Communicating with children inappropriately through social media or private messaging.
Taking photos/videos without proper permission.
Posting children’s photographs or personal information without authorization.
Giving gifts, money, or favors in exchange for personal attention.
Engaging children in political, religious, or personal agendas.
Smoking, alcohol consumption, or substance use during child-related activities.
7. Recruitment and Screening
To minimize risks to children, Vikara The Voice of Change Foundation shall:
Conduct appropriate screening of employees and volunteers.
Verify identity and background details wherever feasible.
Conduct interviews and suitability assessments.
Require agreement to this Child Protection Policy.
Provide orientation and safeguarding awareness before engagement.
Any person with a known history of child abuse, exploitation, violence, or harmful conduct toward children shall not be associated with the organization.
8. Training and Awareness
The Foundation shall:
Provide regular child protection orientation to staff and volunteers.
Conduct awareness sessions on safeguarding practices.
Promote understanding of appropriate behavior and reporting procedures.
Ensure volunteers understand digital safety and confidentiality obligations.
9. Digital and Online Safety
Given the organization’s online educational and outreach activities, the following safeguards shall apply:
Online sessions should preferably be conducted in group settings.
Communications must remain professional and related to organizational activities.
Personal or inappropriate communication with children is prohibited.
Sharing explicit, harmful, or offensive content is strictly prohibited.
Children’s data, photographs, and videos must be stored securely.
Consent should be obtained before recording online sessions where applicable.
10. Photography, Media, and Communication
Children’s dignity and privacy must be protected in all media interactions.
10.1 Photography Guidelines
Prior consent from parents/guardians should be obtained wherever applicable.
Images should portray children respectfully and appropriately.
Children should not be depicted in vulnerable, humiliating, or exploitative situations.
Personal information identifying a child should not be disclosed publicly without authorization.
10.2 Social Media Guidelines
Representatives of the Foundation must:
Use respectful and appropriate language.
Avoid sharing sensitive personal information.
Avoid direct inappropriate interactions with children online.
Ensure all published content aligns with child dignity and safeguarding principles.
11. Reporting Concerns and Complaints
Any person associated with the organization who:
Witnesses child abuse,
Receives a disclosure from a child,
Suspects misconduct,
Observes inappropriate behavior, or
Becomes aware of a safeguarding risk,
must report the concern immediately to the designated authority within the organization.
Reports may be made verbally or in writing.
All concerns shall be:
Taken seriously,
Recorded appropriately,
Handled confidentially,
Investigated fairly and promptly.
Retaliation against any person reporting concerns in good faith shall not be tolerated.
12. Response Procedure
Upon receiving a concern or allegation:
1. Immediate safety of the child shall be prioritized.
2. The concern shall be documented accurately.
3. The designated safeguarding authority shall review the matter.
4. Appropriate action shall be taken, including suspension of individuals where necessary.
5. Authorities or law enforcement may be informed where legally required.
6. Support shall be provided to affected children where possible.
13. Confidentiality
All child protection concerns shall be handled with strict confidentiality.
Information shall only be shared with authorized individuals on a need-to-know basis for safeguarding, legal, or investigative purposes.
Unauthorized disclosure of sensitive information may result in disciplinary action.
14. Legal Compliance
Vikara The Voice of Change Foundation shall operate in accordance with applicable Indian laws relating to child protection, including but not limited to:
The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012.
Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015.
The Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009.
Information Technology laws relating to online safety and privacy.
The organization reserves the right to report matters to law enforcement authorities whenever necessary.
15. Disciplinary Action
Violation of this policy may result in:
Warning or reprimand.
Suspension from duties.
Termination of employment or volunteer association.
Restriction from future organizational activities.
Reporting to legal authorities where applicable.
16. Responsibilities
16.1 Organizational Responsibilities
The Foundation shall:
Maintain safeguarding systems and procedures.
Promote a child-safe culture.
Ensure policy accessibility and awareness.
Respond promptly to concerns.
Review and update the policy periodically.
16.2 Individual Responsibilities
All representatives associated with the organization shall:
Read and comply with this policy.
Maintain professional conduct.
Report concerns immediately.
Cooperate in investigations and safeguarding processes.
17. Policy Review
This policy shall be reviewed periodically by Vikara The Voice of Change Foundation to ensure relevance, effectiveness, and compliance with applicable laws and organizational requirements.
18. Declaration
I hereby acknowledge that I have read, understood, and agree to comply with the Child Protection Policy of Vikara The Voice of Change Foundation.
I understand that failure to comply with this policy may result in disciplinary or legal action.
Contact Information
Vikara The Voice of Change Foundation
Email: vikara.org@gmail.com
Phone: 8860451793
Address: m107 mohan garden uttam nagar, new delhi, 110059