Safeguarding Statement

1Our Safeguarding Commitment

Girls Achieving Learning & Success Voices (Gals Voices) is committed to promoting a safe, respectful, inclusive and supportive environment for the girls and women we aim to empower, as well as everyone who engages with our activities.

We recognise that safeguarding is an important responsibility in personal growth, mentorship, leadership development, sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), digital literacy, holistic development and other activities. We do not tolerate abuse, exploitation, harassment, bullying, intimidation, discrimination or the misuse of power within activities organised by or represented as part of Gals Voices.

This statement describes our safeguarding commitments. Our procedures, designated responsibilities and reporting arrangements must be established and implemented in practice before activities requiring them begin.

2Who We Aim to Protect

Our safeguarding approach is intended to protect:

• Children and young people who participate in our activities.
• Adult participants, mentors, volunteers and team members.
• People who engage with our online platforms and communication channels.
• Individuals who may face increased risks because of their circumstances or needs.
• Anyone who interacts with representatives of Gals Voices in connection with our activities.

We aim to treat every individual with dignity, respect, fairness and consideration.

3Expected Standards of Conduct

Everyone involved in Gals Voices activities is expected to:

• Treat others respectfully and without discrimination.
• Maintain appropriate professional and personal boundaries.
• Respect individual privacy, dignity and autonomy.
• Avoid behaviour that could intimidate, exploit, manipulate or harm another person.
• Never use a position of authority, trust or influence to exploit someone.
• Respect consent and applicable safeguarding requirements.
• Report safeguarding concerns through the appropriate channels.
• Cooperate appropriately with safeguarding reviews and investigations.

Abuse, sexual exploitation, grooming, harassment, bullying, threats and retaliation against someone who raises a concern are incompatible with these standards.

4Children and Young People

Where Gals Voices activities involve individuals under 18, additional protections will be required based on their age, the activity, relevant risks and applicable law. Appropriate measures may include:

• Age-appropriate communication and participation arrangements.
• Parental or guardian involvement and consent where required.
• Safe and transparent mentorship arrangements.
• Suitable screening and checks for roles involving children, where legally available and appropriate.
• Clear supervision and boundaries for in-person and online activities.
• Procedures for responding to disclosures, suspected abuse and immediate safety concerns.
• Appropriate restrictions on collecting, storing or publishing children's personal information and images.

The specific measures must be established before relevant activities take place. Consent alone does not replace the duty to protect children from harm.

5Staff, Mentors, Volunteers and Partners

Individuals representing Gals Voices are expected to follow applicable safeguarding requirements and any relevant code of conduct. Depending on their responsibilities, this may include completing safeguarding training, following supervision arrangements, undergoing appropriate screening, signing a code of conduct and reporting concerns promptly.

Partnerships and collaborative activities should have clearly defined responsibilities for safeguarding, especially where children or vulnerable participants may be involved. Gals Voices will work towards ensuring that people in positions of trust understand the standards expected of them.

6Online Safety and Digital Communications

Gals Voices recognises that safeguarding responsibilities also apply online. We aim to promote safe and respectful digital interactions by:

• Using appropriate official communication channels for organisational activities.
• Establishing boundaries for private communications between mentors and participants.
• Protecting personal information and confidential discussions.
• Taking reports of cyberbullying, harassment, threats, grooming and exploitation seriously.
• Avoiding unnecessary sharing of personal contact details, locations or identifying information.
• Using suitable privacy and security measures for online activities.

People should not use Gals Voices' platforms or activities to solicit inappropriate relationships, exploit participants or expose others to harm.

7Photography, Videos and Personal Stories

Photographs, videos, testimonials and personal stories can help communicate the experiences and achievements of participants. They must be handled responsibly. Before using identifiable material publicly, Gals Voices will seek appropriate permission and consent in accordance with applicable law and safeguarding requirements.

Where children are involved, additional protections and appropriate parental or guardian consent may be necessary. A child's views, safety and dignity must also be considered. Participation in a programme should not automatically be treated as permission to publish someone's image or personal story. We aim to avoid publishing information that unnecessarily reveals a person's private circumstances, sensitive experiences or precise location.

8Reporting a Safeguarding Concern

Anyone who experiences, witnesses or suspects abuse, exploitation, harassment, misconduct or another safeguarding concern connected with Gals Voices is encouraged to report it through our designated safeguarding contact or official reporting channel. Reports should include whatever information the person can safely provide. People should not put themselves at risk to collect evidence or investigate a concern independently.

Where there is an immediate threat to someone's safety, contact the appropriate local emergency or protection services. Our safeguarding contact and reporting procedure will be confirmed and communicated before relevant activities begin.

9Responding to Safeguarding Concerns

Safeguarding concerns should be handled promptly, sensitively and appropriately. Our intended approach is to:

• Prioritise the safety and immediate needs of anyone at risk.
• Listen respectfully and avoid blaming or pressuring the person raising a concern.
• Record relevant information securely and accurately.
• Limit access to information to those who need it to respond appropriately.
• Refer concerns to suitable authorities or protection services where required.
• Take appropriate interim protective measures when necessary.
• Follow applicable reporting obligations and fair procedures.

Gals Voices should establish a clear procedure for receiving, assessing, documenting, escalating and resolving concerns before implementing activities that may create safeguarding risks.

10Confidentiality and Protection from Retaliation

Safeguarding reports will be handled with care and shared only as appropriate for safety, investigation, support or legal obligations. Absolute confidentiality cannot be guaranteed where information must be disclosed to protect someone from harm or comply with the law.

No one should be threatened, harassed or unfairly treated for raising a concern in good faith or participating appropriately in a safeguarding process. Deliberately fabricated reports may be addressed appropriately, but uncertainty or an inability to prove a concern does not, by itself, mean that a report was made dishonestly.

11Safeguarding Responsibilities

Gals Voices recognises that safeguarding requires more than a public statement. We intend to establish appropriate safeguarding leadership, clear reporting routes, relevant training, documented procedures, risk assessments and suitable arrangements for working with partners. Responsibilities should be assigned to identifiable, authorised individuals, and procedures should be reviewed as the organisation develops.

The existence of this statement should not be interpreted as confirmation that all these arrangements are already operational.

12Review and Updates

This statement will be reviewed as Gals Voices develops its programmes, recruits team members or volunteers, establishes partnerships and expands its activities. Updates may be made to reflect lessons learned, changes in safeguarding practices and applicable legal requirements.

13Contact Us

To report a safeguarding concern or ask a safeguarding-related question, contact us at safeguarding@galsvoices.org. In an emergency, contact your local protection services.

Organisation: Girls Achieving Learning & Success Voices (Gals Voices)
Safeguarding contact: safeguarding@galsvoices.org