Child Protection

The mission of The Population Council, Inc. (the “Council”) is to improve the well-being and reproductive health of current and future generations around the world through its biomedical, social science and public health work (i.e., sponsored research and projects). The Council believes that all children, regardless of age, race, gender, socio-economic status or cultural background deserve the opportunity to live full and productive lives and to be free from all forms of abuse. It is the policy of the Council to strive to empower children to reach their full potential and to keep the children who participate in Council work safe from harm. This Child Protection Policy sets forth the standards, including a Code of Conduct, that our organization will adhere to in such work involving children.

This policy applies to all Council employees. Along with all other Council Conduct policies, this policy will be provided to employees on being hired. Each employee will be required to return an acknowledgement confirming his/her receipt, review, and agreement to comply with the terms of this policy as included in his/her written agreement with the Council.

In line with the United Nation Convention on the Rights of the Child, a child is defined as a person under the age of 18. In countries where the legal age of adulthood or local custom is less than 18 years of age, the definition of a child will comply with local law and custom. In such instances, such persons under 18 years of age participating in Council-sponsored research and projects shall be entitled to the protections of this policy.

Child abuse may consist of physical, emotional, sexual abuse, or exploitation as well as neglect, intimidation, deprivation, maltreatment, discrimination, or humiliation of a child.

The Council recognizes the vulnerable nature of children and their need for protection, particularly in underserved communities where Council work, including public health, education, mentoring and community-based projects has the greatest impact on improving children’s lives. Through its policies and work, the Council seeks to protect children participating in its sponsored research and projects from violence, exploitation, and harm; and strives to end abusive practices that hinder the basic human rights of these children.

To meet the aims of this Child Protection Policy, the Council will:

• Conduct necessary reviews to ensure that Council employees involved in Council sponsored research and projects with children are suitable to do so.
• Ensure that Council employees involved in Council work with children are informed about the requirements of this policy and its implementation; and acknowledge their understanding of the requirements of this policy and agree to abide by it.
• Inform Council employees that failure to comply with this Child Protection Policy will lead to disciplinary measures or termination of employment or legal action.
• Continue to review all Council-sponsored, non-exempt research studies, in which children participate as the subject of the research, as governed by the policies of the Council’s Institutional Review Board (“IRB”) and in accordance with nationally and internationally recognized standards. Such review will be undertaken with a continued awareness of the requirements and approaches applied to collecting information from children.
• Require that Council employees report concerns about alleged child abuse suspected in the course of Council work to his or her immediate supervisor. If an allegation involves the supervisor, the procedure for reporting set forth in the Council’s Whistleblower
  Policy should be followed. The Council’s Whistleblower Policy may be found on the Council’s Intranet site or by contacting the Human Resources Department. An employee will not be prejudiced by reporting in good faith any allegation of a violation of this policy.
• Investigate all allegations of abuse raised against any Council employee in the context of any Council work, including referring the issue or concern to the appropriate authorities at the Council’s discretion.
• Post this Child Protection Policy on the Council’s Intranet along with other global Conduct policies. Copies will also be available by contacting Human Resources.
• Maintain confidentiality to the extent permitted by law and use discretion in all instances.
• Review this policy periodically in accordance with the Council’s internal requirements for all policies and procedures applicable to all U.S. and non-U.S. Council offices.

All records concerning investigations of violations of this policy shall be maintained by the Human Resources Department. Written records shall be maintained in accordance with the Council’s Document Retention Policy which can be found on the Council’s Intranet or by contacting Human Resources.

Questions about this policy should be directed to the Council’s Human Resources Department.

This Child Protection Policy became effective on November 19, 2012 when approved by the Council’s Officers. This policy may be amended from time-to-time by the Council’s Officers as deemed appropriate and as required by law.

The protection of children that participate in Council work is a Council-wide responsibility. In conducting such work all Council employees are expected to uphold the highest ethical and professional standards of behavior in all interactions with children. As such, this Code of Conduct is intended to serve as a helpful guideline mindful of the fact that the good judgment of each Council employee is essential and that no list of rules or guidelines can provide direction for every circumstance that may arise. It is understood that Council employees will act appropriately in all circumstances and avoid any action or behavior that is or may be viewed as inappropriate in the context of working with children. All Council employees working with children in the course of any Council-sponsored research and projects should:

• Treat all children with respect and fairness, and not discriminate or favor one child or group over any other. Activities and programs that focus on the needs of one gender or are gender-specific shall not be viewed as discriminatory.
• Refrain from involvement in any criminal, sexual, exploitative, or abusive activities that are incongruous to the physical or emotional well-being of children or may be viewed as such.
• Not use language or behavior that is harassing or demeaning to children.
• Not invite children to be alone or spend significant time alone with Council employees in the course of Council work, particularly if the parent or care-giver has not given consent, unless a child is in imminent danger of serious injury. Council employees will not sleep
  in the same room or bed with any child who is participating in any Council-sponsored work.
• Encourage a culture of accountability among those working with children to ensure that poor practices are not permitted to undermine the well-being of children.
• Immediately report issues or allegations of suspected abuse.
• Comply with the Use of Child’s Image Guidelines set forth below.

No Council employee involved with Council-sponsored research or projects shall compromise the image or reputation of any child. When photographing children in these contexts, Council employees will comply with local cultural practices to ensure the identity and reputation of the child is protected. All Council employees will use good judgment when creating, using and sending any photographs, film, video or other media related to any Council project and will present children with respect and dignity in all Council work. Such media will never present any image of a child that is exploitative, sexual in nature, or abusive. All Council employees will take care not to reveal any identifying information about the child when sending or providing such media.

Where Council work involving children includes the participation of third-parties, such as, fellows, interns, volunteers, consultants, contractors, subcontractors or other third-party organizations or individuals (“Collaborators”), such Collaborators will be expected to uphold the Code of Conduct set forth in this Child Protection Policy.

Last update: 11 August 2016

Contact Email: hr@popcouncil.org