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02/01/2024

The undersign Eugen Ghiță , acting as President of the Romajust Lawyers Association for the implementation of the project entitled "VOICES: Vocalizing Opposition to Child Marriage in Roma Communities" through Empowerment and Support submitted under the call for proposals CERV-2024-DAPHNE confirm that the Child Protection measures of our municipality/organization are in line with the guidelines "Child safeguarding standards and how to implement them". These measures are based on the following set of principles:

  • All children have equal rights to protection from harm
  • Everybody has a responsibility to support the protection of children.
  • Romajust Lawyers Association has a duty of care to children with whom they work, are in contact with, or who are affected by their work and operations.
  • All actions on child safeguarding are taken in the best interests of the child, which are paramount.

Moreover, the Romajust Lawyers Association will ensure in each event:

  • Informed consent: participants and their families will be made aware of the purpose of the project, and its activities, so that the participant is able to make an informed decision as to whether they will participate in it or not. Additional information will also be provided if participant becomes distressed in any way during their participation.
  • Voluntary participation: participants are free to withdraw their participation at any time. Explanations are also not required.
  • Do no harm: Harm can be both physical and/or psychological and therefore can be in the form of: stress, pain, anxiety, diminishing self-esteem or an invasion of privacy. It is imperative that the activities do not in any way harm (unintended or otherwise) participants.
  • Data protection and privacy: the project will follow the EU General Data Protection regulation (GDPR) for what concerns the acquisition, use and diffusion of participants' personal data.

Staff members, consultants, interns and volunteers of Romajust Lawyers Association, at any level and in any location, are expected to adhere to the following standards:

  • treat children with respect regardless of race, colour, gender, language, religion, political or other opinion, national, ethnic or social origin, disability, sexual orientation, birth or other status;
  • not use language or behaviour towards children, in-person or online, that is inappropriate, harassing, abusive, sexually provocative, demeaning or culturally inappropriate;
  • not engage children under the age of 18 in any form of sexual intercourse or sexual activity, including paying for sexual services or acts. Mistaken belief in the age of a child is not an excuse;
  • not marrying or becoming involved in an informal union with anyone under the age of 18 years, regardless of the allowable age of marriage in the country;
  • wherever possible, ensure that another adult is present when working in the proximity of children;
  • use any computers, mobile phones, video cameras, cameras or social media appropriately, and never to exploit or harass children or access child exploitation material through any medium;
  • not use physical punishment on children;
  • not act in ways intended or reasonably likely to shame, humiliate, belittle, or degrade children, or otherwise perpetrate any form of psychological abuse;
  • not give any dangerous substances to a child;
  • not hire children for domestic or other labour which is inappropriate to their age or developmental stage, or which interferes with their time available for education and recreational activities, or which places them at risk of injury;
  • comply with all relevant legislation, including labour laws in relation to child labour;
  • immediately report concerns or allegations of child exploitation, child abuse and noncompliance with this policy;
  • obtain informed consent from the child and parent or guardian of the child before photographing or filming a child, including explaining how the photograph or film will be used;
  • ensure that photographs, films, videos and DVDs present children in a dignified and respectful manner and not in a vulnerable or submissive manner. Children should not be depicted in poses that could be seen as sexually suggestive;
  • immediately disclose all charges, convictions and other outcomes of an offence that occurred before or occurs during their association with ROMAJUST LAWYERS ASSOCIATION that relate to child exploitation or abuse.

Addressing child abuse or exploitation

Any report of child abuse or exploitation or a violation of this policy will be fully investigated on a confidential basis. Appropriate action will be taken where an allegation is verified. What is appropriate will depend on the circumstances, but ROMAJUST LAWYERS ASSOCIATION stresses the seriousness of this type of behaviour.

ROMAJUST LAWYERS ASSOCIATION staff may be dismissed, consultants' contracts may be terminated and contact with partners or others may be terminated if child abuse or exploitation or a violation of this policy is established.

If warranted, the matter may also be reported to the police or other authority, also depending on applicable legislation.

President,

Eugen Ghiță

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