Perpetrator work is one in many services and interventions ensuring the safety and well-being of domestic violence survivors. Having victim safety as a goal of our programmes is not nearly enough to ensure that our work is truly oriented toward safety, well-being and the best interest of a child.
Professionals and organisations in this field often encounter dilemmas. Many practices focus on the woman as the victim, excluding the children from interventions. Some of the dilemmas emerge when it comes to working directly with children, e.g. how to approach a child in a way that will not lead to re-traumatisation. Even when not working directly with children, but "in the name of a child", or addressing issues that can affect a child, it can be difficult to keep the needs and the best interest of a child in the focus, or to correctly assess its needs. This is especially the case when other processes are active, like custody issues or lawsuits for child abuse and neglect.
Comprehensive, clear and well-implemented child protection policies and procedures are crucial to:
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Establishing child-safety and well-being focused practices can start with adopting a child protection policy, but it doesn’t end there. It requires continuous monitoring, evaluation and capacity building by your staff.
Child Protection Policy & Procedures Template
WWP EN Child Protection Policy
Could your organisation be putting children at risk of harm? The free Keeping Children Safe self-assessment tool can help you understand your organisation's strengths and weaknesses - and help you close those child safeguarding gaps.
Free child safeguarding self-assessment tool
Overview of children's rights contained in the Istanbul Convention
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