CRICS/Wiki
1
0
Fork 0
Code Issues Pull Requests Packages Projects Releases Wiki Activity

docs: update handbooks/child-protection-handbook

Browse Source
This commit is contained in:
Amber Dueck 2025-11-14 07:34:21 +00:00 committed by Chester Bak
parent 831d928ed1
commit 1e55a63128
1 changed files with 25 additions and 26 deletions
Show Stats Download Patch File Download Diff File Expand all files Collapse all files

51
handbooks/child-protection-handbook.html
View File

@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
title: Child Protection Handbook title: Child Protection Handbook
description: description:
published: true published: true
date: 2025-11-14T06:52:55.747Z date: 2025-11-14T07:34:18.099Z
tags: tags:
editor: ckeditor editor: ckeditor
dateCreated: 2023-09-22T12:45:40.178Z dateCreated: 2023-09-22T12:45:40.178Z
@ -51,16 +51,16 @@ dateCreated: 2023-09-22T12:45:40.178Z
<p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p>
<h1>Child Abuse Policy</h1> <h1>Child Abuse Policy</h1>
<h2>Introduction</h2> <h2>Introduction</h2>
<p>It is the policy of CRICS to maintain a school environment free from the effects of child abuse or neglect. No staff member, volunteer, employee or student may engage in any activity at any time constituting child abuse and/or neglect. All CRICS mandated reporters (all registered volunteers, paid CRICS faculty and staff) must report to the head of school any suspected child abuse or neglect that they believe occurred or may have occurred, either inside or outside of the school setting.</p> <p>It is the policy of CRICS to maintain a school environment free from the effects of child abuse or neglect. No staff member, volunteer, employee or student may engage in any activity at any time constituting child abuse and/or neglect. All CRICS mandated reporters (all registered volunteers, paid CRICS faculty and staff) must report any suspected child abuse or neglect that they believe occurred or may have occurred, either inside or outside of the school setting.&nbsp;</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p>
<h2>Definitions</h2> <h2>Definitions</h2>
<p>Child abuse and neglect describes inappropriate, immoral, and/or unethical behavior of an adult toward a student or a minor under 18 years of age or of a child toward another child where there is a difference in power based on age, or physical, intellectual, emotional, or situational opportunity or capacity. It can be perpetrated with or without consent of the victim, can happen in a one-on-one encounter, or in a group setting. However, not all inappropriate behavior constitutes abuse or neglect. In determining whether a particular behavior constitutes child abuse or neglect, the behavior should fit into one of the following categories:</p> <p>Child abuse and neglect describes inappropriate, immoral, and/or unethical behavior of an adult toward a student or a minor under 18 years of age or of a child toward another child where there is a difference in power based on age, or physical, intellectual, emotional, or situational opportunity or capacity. It can be perpetrated with or without consent of the victim, can happen in a one-on-one encounter, or in a group setting. However, not all inappropriate behavior constitutes abuse or neglect. In determining whether a particular behavior constitutes child abuse or neglect, the behavior should fit into one of the following categories:</p>
<ol> <ol>
<li><strong>Physical abuse.</strong> Physical injury inflicted by other than accidental means on a child by another person and includes willful cruelty, unjustifiable punishment, or willful infliction of physical pain. Normal parental discipline such as spanking on areas of the buttocks or legs for normal discipline which does not leave bruising or marks which persist for more than 24 hours is not considered child abuse.</li> <li>Physical abuse. Physical injury inflicted by other than accidental means on a child by another person and includes willful cruelty, unjustifiable punishment, or willful infliction of physical pain. Normal parental discipline such as spanking on areas of the buttocks or legs for normal discipline which does not leave bruising or marks which persist for more than 24 hours is not considered child abuse.</li>
<li><strong>Sexual abuse. </strong>Committing or allowing to be committed any sexual offense against a child as defined in the criminal code, or intentionally touching, either directly or through clothing, the genitals, anus or breasts of a child for other than hygiene or child care purposes.</li> <li>Sexual abuse. Committing or allowing to be committed any sexual offense against a child as defined in the criminal code, or intentionally touching, either directly or through clothing, the genitals, anus or breasts of a child for other than hygiene or child care purposes.</li>
<li><strong>Emotional / Verbal Abuse.</strong> spoken or written word, gestures, digital actions, graphics, online activities, and other forms of non-physical behaviors that are aimed at degrading, manipulating, or controlling the victim, and includes threats, insults, constant monitoring, excessive contact, humiliation, intimidation, isolation or stalking.</li> <li>Emotional / Verbal Abuse. spoken or written word, gestures, digital actions, graphics, online activities, and other forms of non-physical behaviors that are aimed at degrading, manipulating, or controlling the victim, and includes threats, insults, constant monitoring, excessive contact, humiliation, intimidation, isolation or stalking.</li>
<li><strong>Harassment.</strong> <a href="#harassment">(See definition in this policy)</a></li> <li>Harassment. <a href="https://wiki.crics.asia/en/handbooks/child-protection-handbook#harassment"><u>(See definition in this policy)</u></a></li>
<li><strong>Neglect.</strong> The negligent or lack of proper care of a child by a person responsible for the child’s welfare resulting in circumstances that cause harm to the child’s health or welfare.</li> <li>Neglect. The negligent or lack of proper care of a child by a person responsible for the child’s welfare resulting in circumstances that cause harm to the child’s health or welfare.</li>
</ol> </ol>
<p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p>
<h2>Prevention of Child Abuse / Neglect:</h2> <h2>Prevention of Child Abuse / Neglect:</h2>
@ -71,7 +71,7 @@ dateCreated: 2023-09-22T12:45:40.178Z
<li>CRICS will foster a climate of belief (i.e.; it is possible that child abuse could take place) and freedom to report that abuse.</li> <li>CRICS will foster a climate of belief (i.e.; it is possible that child abuse could take place) and freedom to report that abuse.</li>
</ol> </ol>
</li> </li>
<li>All staff (paid and registered volunteer) shall:<ol> <li>All staff (paid and registered volunteers) shall:<ol>
<li>Participate in appropriate training annually which will include:<ol> <li>Participate in appropriate training annually which will include:<ol>
<li>Reading and agreeing to the child protection policy</li> <li>Reading and agreeing to the child protection policy</li>
<li>Identifying and preventing child abuse and neglect</li> <li>Identifying and preventing child abuse and neglect</li>
@ -108,29 +108,29 @@ dateCreated: 2023-09-22T12:45:40.178Z
</ol> </ol>
<p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p>
<h1>Standards of Conduct in Regards to Children</h1> <h1>Standards of Conduct in Regards to Children</h1>
<p>CRICS personnel, visitors and children shall ensure that the words and actions they use should build up the children’s (other’s) self esteem. They shall not use derogatory language or act in ways intended to shame, humiliate, belittle or degrade children, or otherwise perpetrate any forms of emotional abuse. Furthermore, CRICS has no tolerance for bullying.</p> <p>CRICS personnel, parent volunteers, visitors and children shall ensure that the words and actions they use should build up the children’s (other’s) self esteem. They shall not use derogatory language or act in ways intended to shame, humiliate, belittle or degrade children, or otherwise perpetrate any forms of emotional abuse. Furthermore, CRICS has no tolerance for bullying.</p>
<p>CRICS Personnel (excluding visitors and contractors/laborers) will discipline and correct in a way that is consistent with the CRICS policy and Thai law. CRICS has no tolerance for violence against children.</p> <p>CRICS Personnel (excluding visitors and contractors/laborers) will discipline and correct in a way that is consistent with the CRICS policy and Thai law. CRICS has no tolerance for violence against children.</p>
<p>CRICS personnel, visitors and children shall not engage in inappropriate physical conduct with children (or others) which can be potentially abusive or unwanted. They shall not exhibit exposure, pornography, make sexual advances, or use authority to force participation in sexual acts.</p> <p>CRICS personnel, parent volunteers, visitors and children shall not engage in inappropriate physical conduct with children (or others) which can be potentially abusive or unwanted. They shall not exhibit exposure, pornography, make sexual advances, or use authority to force participation in sexual acts.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p>
<h1>Discovery and Reporting</h1> <h1>Discovery and Reporting</h1>
<h2>Mandated reports</h2> <h2>Mandated reports</h2>
<ol> <ol>
<li>At CRICS, all volunteers, teachers and paid staff are mandated reporters and must report suspected child abuse or neglect to the head of school or principals. A mandated reporter shall<ol> <li>At CRICS, all volunteers, teachers and paid staff are mandated reporters and must report suspected child abuse or neglect in person to the Child Protection Team or use the child protection form on the portal. A mandated reporter shall<ol>
<li>Make a report whenever she/he has knowledge of, or observes, a child whom the mandated reporter knows or “reasonably suspects” has been the victim of child abuse or neglect to the principal or the head of school.<ul> <li>Make a report whenever she/he has knowledge of, or observes, a child whom the mandated reporter knows or “reasonably suspects” has been the victim of child abuse or neglect to the principal or the head of school.<ul>
<li>*“Reasonable suspicion” means that it is objectively reasonable for a person to entertain a suspicion, based upon facts that could cause a reasonable person in a like position, drawing, when appropriate, on his or her training and experience, to suspect child abuse or neglect.</li> <li>*“Reasonable suspicion” means that it is objectively reasonable for a person to entertain a suspicion, based upon facts that could cause a reasonable person in a like position, drawing, when appropriate, on his or her training and experience, to suspect child abuse or neglect.</li>
</ul> </ul>
</li> </li>
<li>Prepare and submit an official, written report (Child Abuse Report Form, see appendix) thereof within 24 hours of receiving the information concerning the suspected abuse to the head of school and/or Child Protection Officer. Report forms are available from the head of school, principal, and Child Protection Officer.</li> <li>Prepare and submit an official, written report using the Child Protection form on the portal thereof within 24 hours of receiving the information concerning the suspected abuse.&nbsp;</li>
</ol> </ol>
</li> </li>
<li>The reporting duties under this section are individual and no supervisor, administrator, or WC (Working Committee) member may impede or inhibit the reporting duties and no person making a report shall be subject to any sanction by CRICS for making a report based on a reasonable suspicion.</li> <li>The reporting duties under this section are individual and no supervisor, administrator, or WC (Working Committee) member may impede or inhibit the reporting duties and no person making a report shall be subject to any sanction by CRICS for making a report based on a reasonable suspicion.</li>
<li>Reporting the information regarding a case of possible child abuse or neglect to another employee, co-worker, or person other than the head of school or principals shall not be a substitute for making a mandated report to the head of school or principals.</li> <li>Reports should not be made to anyone other than the child protection team.&nbsp;</li>
<li>If a mandated reporter fails to report reasonably suspected child abuse or neglect, she/he will be subject to discipline by CRICS up to, and including, termination.</li> <li>If a mandated reporter fails to report reasonably suspected child abuse or neglect, she/he will be subject to discipline by CRICS up to, and including, termination.</li>
</ol> </ol>
<p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p>
<h2>Student Reports</h2> <h2>Student Reports</h2>
<ol> <ol>
<li>Any CRICS student who suffers abuse from a CRICS employee, volunteer, or student, or knows of a situation where it has occurred, is to report to a CRICS volunteer or employee. Having received information, the mandated reporters will then make a report using a <strong>Child Abuse Report Form</strong>, available from the head of school or the principal and submit it to the Child Protection Officer and the head of school.</li> <li>Any CRICS student who suffers abuse from a CRICS employee, volunteer, or student, or knows of a situation where it has occurred, is to make a report using the<strong> Child Protection Form</strong> found on the portal.&nbsp;</li>
<li>The mandated reporter shall make a report even if some of the information is not known or is uncertain to him or her.</li> <li>The mandated reporter shall make a report even if some of the information is not known or is uncertain to him or her.</li>
<li>A mandated reporter or other individual whose report turns out to be false shall not incur liability for reports made in good faith. Liability will not incur unless it is proven that a false report was knowingly submitted or made with “reckless disregard of the truth or falsity of the report,” and/or with malicious intent.</li> <li>A mandated reporter or other individual whose report turns out to be false shall not incur liability for reports made in good faith. Liability will not incur unless it is proven that a false report was knowingly submitted or made with “reckless disregard of the truth or falsity of the report,” and/or with malicious intent.</li>
</ol> </ol>
@ -138,17 +138,16 @@ dateCreated: 2023-09-22T12:45:40.178Z
<h2>Investigation</h2> <h2>Investigation</h2>
<ol> <ol>
<li>During the reporting and investigation process, care must be exercised to protect the alleged victim(s), the alleged perpetrator(s), and the reporter(s) by restricting information access to those who need to know.</li> <li>During the reporting and investigation process, care must be exercised to protect the alleged victim(s), the alleged perpetrator(s), and the reporter(s) by restricting information access to those who need to know.</li>
<li>If the head of school or the Child Protection Officer is implicated, reports will be forwarded to the chairman of the working committee and he/she will serve in the head of school's place.</li> <li>If the head of school or the Child Protection Officer is implicated, reports will be forwarded to the chairman of the governing board and he/she will serve in the head of school’s&nbsp; place.</li>
<li>Upon receiving a report, as soon as reasonably possible, the head of school and Child Protection Officer or designee will:<ol> <li>Upon receiving a report, as soon as reasonably possible, the Child Protection Team or designee will:<ol>
<li>Communicate relevant information to the school’s Working Committee</li>
<li>Determine who will conduct the investigation<ol> <li>Determine who will conduct the investigation<ol>
<li>If the alleged offence took place in the school setting or between members of the CRICS community within the context of normal school relationships, and is of a criminal nature, CRICS will inform Thai authorities and act on the findings/conclusions of those authorities.</li> <li>If the alleged offence took place in the school setting or between members of the CRICS community within the context of normal school relationships, and is of a criminal nature, CRICS will inform Thai authorities and act on the findings/conclusions of those authorities.</li>
<li>If the alleged abuse took place outside the school setting or does not involve two people associated with the school, CRICS will refer the investigation to Thai authorities or other agencies as is appropriate for the case. These agencies may include but are not limited to the Thai police, mission leadership, embassies, or other.<ul> <li>If the alleged abuse took place outside the school setting or does not involve two people associated with the school, if appropriate, CRICS will refer the investigation to Thai authorities or other agencies as is appropriate for the case. These agencies may include but are not limited to the Thai police, mission leadership, embassies, or other.<ul>
<li>CRICS will continue to confer with and assist as appropriate outside parties involved in the investigation of staff or students alleged to have engaged in child abuse or harassment.</li> <li>CRICS will continue to confer with and assist as appropriate outside parties involved in the investigation of staff or students alleged to have engaged in child abuse or harassment.</li>
</ul> </ul>
</li> </li>
<li>If the alleged abuse does not appear to be of a criminal nature or if there is sufficient doubt of the unlawfulness of the abuse, CRICS will lead the investigation.<ul> <li>If the alleged abuse does not appear to be of a criminal nature or if there is sufficient doubt of the unlawfulness of the abuse, CRICS will lead the investigation.<ul>
<li>In cases where CRICS leads the investigation, the head of school will appoint an investigation team, which may include a counselor, nurse, principal, paid staff or volunteers deemed appropriate. The team will conduct a prompt, confidential, and thorough investigation to determine whether reasonable grounds exist to believe that abuse has occurred. The team will submit written findings to the head of school.</li> <li>In cases where CRICS leads the investigation, the Child Protection Officer will appoint an investigation team, which may include a counselor, nurse, principal, paid staff or volunteers deemed appropriate. The team will conduct a prompt, confidential, and thorough investigation to determine whether reasonable grounds exist to believe that abuse has occurred. The team will submit written findings to the Child Protection Officer.</li>
</ul> </ul>
</li> </li>
</ol> </ol>
@ -160,21 +159,21 @@ dateCreated: 2023-09-22T12:45:40.178Z
<li>Provide referrals for counseling and referrals for care to alleged victim(s), near victim(s), and perpetrator(s) as necessary and appropriate.</li> <li>Provide referrals for counseling and referrals for care to alleged victim(s), near victim(s), and perpetrator(s) as necessary and appropriate.</li>
</ol> </ol>
</li> </li>
<li>Review the findings of the investigating team and, if necessary, in consultation with the Thai Director, the Working Committee, Legal Board of Trustees, and Thai authorities (through the Thai Director) to make a conclusion. The conclusion will be communicated to the school’s Working Committee and Legal Board of directors in a timely manner.</li> <li>Upon conclusion of the investigation, the administrator will review the findings and determine the correct response (email, disciplinary action, involving the Thai authorities, etc). Depending on the severity of the situation, the administrator may need to consult with ELT, Governing Board, the Thai director, and/or the school’s lawyers. A record of the decision and consequences will be placed in the permanent record of the employee or student.</li>
<li>In a timely manner, the head of school will make an anonymized report for the Governing Board&nbsp;</li>
</ol> </ol>
</li> </li>
</ol> </ol>
<p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p>
<h2>Consequences/Follow-up</h2> <h2><strong>Consequences/Follow-up</strong></h2>
<ol> <ol>
<li>If the CRICS or external agency’s investigation indicates that reasonable grounds do not exist to believe that abuse has occurred, the head of school will notify all parties who were involved in the investigation, and the Working Committee. If CRICS has led the investigation, a statement of exoneration will be given to CRICS parties wrongly accused of child abuse.</li> <li>If the CRICS or external agency’s investigation indicates that reasonable grounds do not exist to believe that abuse has occurred, the head of school will notify all parties who were involved in the investigation, and the Governing Board. If CRICS has led the investigation, a statement of exoneration will be given to CRICS parties wrongly accused of child abuse.</li>
<li>If inappropriate behavior is substantiated but does not constitute abuse or neglect, the accused will be subject to appropriate disciplinary consequences at the discretion of the administration.</li> <li>If inappropriate behavior is substantiated but does not constitute abuse or neglect, the accused will be subject to appropriate disciplinary consequences at the discretion of the administration.</li>
<li>If the investigation indicates that reasonable grounds do exist to believe that abuse has occurred, the head of school or designee will communicate this and the consequences to be administered to the school’s Working Committee and Legal Board of Trustees and if appropriate, to the Thai authorities (such as the police and child welfare agency) through the Thai Director.</li> <li>If the investigation indicates that reasonable grounds do exist to believe that abuse has occurred, the head of school or designee will communicate this and the consequences to be administered to the school’s Governing Board and Legal Board of Trustees and if appropriate, to the Thai authorities (such as the police and child welfare agency) through the Thai Director.</li>
<li>The final decision on termination or expulsion shall be made by the head of school, in communication with the Working Committee, but it is expected that:<ol> <li>The final decision on termination or expulsion shall be made by the head of school, in communication with the Governing Board, but it is expected that:<ol>
<li>Volunteers / paid staff found to have engaged in child abuse/neglect, shall be terminated and may be referred to the Thai authorities for criminal prosecution.</li> <li>Volunteers / paid staff found to have engaged in child abuse/neglect, shall be terminated and may be referred to the Thai authorities for criminal prosecution.</li>
<li>Non-WC-contracted parties (including teacher substitutes, non-staff coaches, and volunteers who serve regularly) found to have engaged in child abuse/neglect shall be prohibited from providing further services for CRICS and may be referred to the Thai authorities for criminal prosecution.</li> <li>Non-WC-contracted parties (including teacher substitutes, non-staff coaches, and volunteers who serve regularly) found to have engaged in child abuse/neglect shall be prohibited from providing further services for CRICS and may be referred to the Thai authorities for criminal prosecution.</li>
<li>CRICS students found to have engaged in child abuse/neglect will receive a consequence deemed appropriate by the school’s head of school in consultation with the principal, investigators or other parties as necessary. Disciplinary action may vary from a letter of apology, mandated counseling, expulsion, or referral to the Thai authorities for criminal prosecution, depending on the gravity of the student’s actions.</li> <li>CRICS students found to have engaged in child abuse/neglect will receive a consequence deemed appropriate by the school’s head of school in consultation with the principal, investigators or other parties as necessary. Disciplinary action may vary from a letter of apology, mandated counseling, expulsion, or referral to the Thai authorities for criminal prosecution, depending on the gravity of the student’s actions.<br>&nbsp;</li>
<li>When there is a credible report of familial abuse within a missionary family, in addition to notifying the Thai authorities as appropriate, &nbsp;the sending agency of the family must also be notified, to provide additional support and accountability for the family. &nbsp;<br>&nbsp;</li>
</ol> </ol>
</li> </li>
</ol> </ol>