Caritas India Elevates Safeguarding Standards for Enhanced Protection

Caritas India to safeguard the dignity and rights of every individual, has reaffirmed its commitment by implementing a robust training program. Under its Safety For Everyone (SAFE) initiative aims to fortify its systems, policies, and practices, ensuring the protection of vulnerable populations, including children and adults, from harm and abuse.

Recognizing the increasing importance of safeguarding in the workplace, especially for NGOs, Caritas India recently organized a Safeguarding orientation session for its Leads and Assistant Leads at its New Delhi Office on January 19, 2024. Facilitated by Mr. Kushal Neogy from CRS, the session emphasized the vital role of safeguarding within organizations, focusing on the framework encompassing policies, prevention, and response strategies.

Fr. Jolly Puthenpura, Assistant Director of Caritas India, highlighted the need to uphold the dignity of every human being, asserting that safeguarding is not just about having policies but actively practicing and implementing them. Stressing that it is non-negotiable for the organization to thrive, Fr. Jolly urged the participants to guard against any harm that might compromise humanity.

The training objectives included outlining prohibited behaviours to protect the dignity and rights of staff, affiliates, children, and vulnerable adults. It also covered reporting mechanisms for safeguarding incidents, emphasizing confidentiality, and redressal mechanisms through a survivor-centred approach.

The session delved into Caritas India’s Safeguarding Policy, safe recruitment practices, and safeguarding within its programs, providing a clear understanding of the distinctions between safeguarding and protection. Participants gained insights into the Safety and Security audit process at the workplace, ensuring a comprehensive approach to safeguarding.

Caritas India’s commitment to safeguarding extended beyond training, with the initiation of discussions with the Internal Committee (IC) on January 18, 2024. Facilitated by Mr. Kushal Neogy, the engaging session focused on roles, responsibilities, rights of survivors, and the investigation process. The discussion encompassed the non-judgmental and unbiased handling of cases, emphasizing the importance of trust, listening skills, confidentiality, and addressing power imbalances.

Key takeaways from the discussion included the development of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for Feedback, Complaints, and Response Mechanisms, mapping local services for referral at the national and regional levels, guidelines for handling the investigation process, and the establishment of field-level Sub-Internal Committees for specific tasks. Caritas India’s proactive approach to safeguarding reflects its dedication to creating a secure and respectful environment for all stakeholders.