Specific Protocol for the Protection of Children Against Violence, Abuse, and Neglect

Mladezhko Evropeisko Obshtestvo

Adopted by Decision of the Board on 16.12.2021

Article 1

FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES

Mladezhko Evropeisko Obshtestvo affirms the fundamental right of every child to protection, care, dignity, and participation. Children shall be respected as individual rights-holders with the freedom to develop safely in an environment free from violence, neglect, and exploitation.

This Protocol adheres to the principles outlined in the Child Protection Act of the Republic of Bulgaria, the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC), and the European Convention on Human Rights. The Organization rejects any form of discrimination, abuse, or exploitation based on gender, ethnicity, nationality, religion, disability, or socio-economic background.

Article 2

DEFINITIONS OF TERMS

A “child” refers to every person below the age of 18 years.

“Violence” refers to all forms of physical, sexual, psychological, or emotional harm inflicted intentionally or unintentionally.

“Abuse” includes physical abuse (hitting, beating), emotional abuse (verbal assault, intimidation), sexual abuse (coercive or exploitative acts), and economic abuse (exploitation for labor).

“Neglect” means the persistent failure to meet a child’s basic needs, including adequate food, shelter, education, emotional support, and medical care.

Witnessing violence, even indirectly, including domestic violence, is recognized as deeply damaging and constitutes a form of abuse.

Article 3

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROTOCOL

The objectives of this Protocol are to prevent child abuse and neglect, to protect and empower children, and to intervene effectively where risks or incidents are identified.

Prevention includes education, awareness-raising, and policy enforcement. Protection involves the early identification of risks and provision of safe environments. Intervention requires clear procedures for reporting, responding to, and managing incidents in accordance with Bulgarian legislation.

Article 4

CODE OF CONDUCT

All employees, volunteers, contractors, and partners must:
– Treat children with respect, empathy, and equality.
– Uphold children’s right to express their views freely.
– Maintain appropriate professional boundaries at all times.
– Immediately report any suspicion or allegation of abuse.

Prohibited actions include any form of corporal punishment, sexual contact with minors, humiliation, discrimination, and unauthorized dissemination of children’s images or personal information.

Article 5

PREVENTION MEASURES

The Organization shall implement robust prevention measures including:
– Pre-employment background checks for all staff and volunteers.
– Regular training on child safeguarding, recognizing signs of abuse, and mandatory reporting obligations.
– Safe recruitment policies and risk assessments of activities.
– Child-friendly communication strategies empowering children to speak up.

All activities involving children will be supervised appropriately to minimize risk.

Article 6

IDENTIFICATION AND REPORTING OF ABUSE

Personnel must be trained to identify physical indicators (bruises, injuries), emotional indicators (withdrawal, fearfulness), and behavioral signs (regression, aggression) suggesting abuse or neglect.

Any concern must be reported immediately to the Child Protection Officer (CPO), who will assess the information confidentially and objectively without delay.

Article 7

INTERNAL RESPONSE PROCEDURES

Upon receipt of a report, the CPO shall:
– Ensure immediate safety for the child.
– Collect and document facts without conducting investigations.
– Liaise internally and externally with designated authorities.
– Secure access to psychosocial, medical, and legal services for the child.

Every step will respect the dignity, privacy, and best interests of the child.

Article 8

MANDATORY EXTERNAL REPORTING

According to the Bulgarian Child Protection Act (Art. 7, 15), all suspicions of child abuse must be reported to the Directorate for Social Assistance (DSSP) within 24 hours.

If the child’s life or safety is immediately threatened, personnel must notify the police (112 emergency number) without delay.

The Organization commits to full cooperation with external agencies, law enforcement, and judicial authorities.

Article 9

CHILD PROTECTION OFFICER AND FOCAL POINTS

The CPO is responsible for:
– Coordinating child safeguarding procedures.
– Managing training programs.
– Maintaining records of concerns and actions taken.
– Acting as the main link with child protection authorities.

In addition, Focal Points will be appointed within activities/projects to provide children with easy access to trusted adults.

Article 10

SPECIAL MEASURES FOR SINGLE-PARENT FAMILIES

The Organization recognizes the specific vulnerabilities of children from single-parent families.

Programs will be designed with flexible scheduling, accessible resources, financial aid opportunities, and referral pathways to external social support services.

Article 11

ORGANIZATIONAL GUIDELINES FOR CHILD PROTECTION

Safeguarding will be mainstreamed into all organizational activities:
– Mandatory child protection clauses in all contracts.
– Regular risk assessments.
– Clear escalation procedures in case of concerns.
– Publicly available Child Protection Policies.

Article 12

TRAINING AND CAPACITY BUILDING

All personnel must receive mandatory induction training on safeguarding.

Annual refresher trainings will be organized covering topics such as:
– Recognizing child abuse and neglect.
– Legal obligations.
– Reporting and documentation processes.
– Psychological first aid for child victims.

Article 13

SAFE ENVIRONMENTS AND RISK PREVENTION

All physical spaces must:
– Be designed to reduce the risk of harm.
– Ensure visibility and transparency in interactions.
– Restrict access to sensitive areas.

All online activities must comply with GDPR, including appropriate consent for the collection and use of children’s personal data.

Article 14

PRIVACY AND CONFIDENTIALITY

Child protection information must be treated with the highest confidentiality.

Records must be securely stored, and personal data must be processed lawfully under the General Data Protection Regulation (EU) 2016/679 and Bulgarian data protection laws.

Information sharing must only occur where necessary to protect children or where legally required.

Article 15

ACCOUNTABILITY, MONITORING, AND REVISION OF THE PROTOCOL

Breaches of the protocol will result in internal disciplinary actions, including potential termination and legal referral.

The protocol shall be reviewed annually or after serious incidents, incorporating lessons learned and emerging best practices in child safeguarding.

Legal References:

– Child Protection Act (ZZD) of the Republic of Bulgaria

– Criminal Code of the Republic of Bulgaria

– Social Services Act

– United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC)

– General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) (EU Regulation 2016/679)

Adopted by Decision of the Board of Mladezhko Evropeisko Obshtestvo on 16.12.2021