Child Protection Policy

Child Protection Policy

Ojeev Foundation

Effective Date: 12 May 2026
Last Updated: 27 June 2026

Child Protection Policy

1. Introduction

Ojeev Foundation is committed to creating a safe, respectful, inclusive, and protective environment for every child associated with our organization. The Foundation recognizes that every child has the fundamental right to live free from abuse, neglect, exploitation, violence, discrimination, and any form of harm.

This Child Protection Policy establishes the standards, responsibilities, procedures, and safeguards that govern all programs, projects, services, partnerships, events, volunteers, employees, interns, consultants, contractors, donors, and visitors who interact with children through the Foundation.

Protecting children is not only a legal responsibility but also a moral obligation that forms the foundation of our mission to improve communities through education, healthcare, women empowerment, environmental conservation, animal welfare, elderly care, historical preservation, temple conservation, and social development initiatives.

2. Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to:

• Protect every child associated with Ojeev Foundation.
• Prevent child abuse and exploitation.
• Establish clear standards of conduct.
• Promote a culture of child safety.
• Define reporting procedures.
• Ensure immediate action when concerns arise.
• Strengthen accountability.
• Promote children’s rights and dignity.
• Support national and international child protection standards.

3. Scope

This policy applies to:

• Board Members
• Directors
• Employees
• Volunteers
• Interns
• Consultants
• Project Staff
• Field Workers
• Community Coordinators
• Vendors
• Contractors
• Event Organizers
• Trainers
• Visitors
• Media Personnel
• Donors participating in child-related activities
• CSR Partners
• Educational Institutions collaborating with Ojeev Foundation

This policy applies irrespective of employment status, duration of engagement, or location.

4. Definition of a Child

For the purpose of this policy, a child is any person below the age of eighteen (18) years, in accordance with applicable laws of India and internationally accepted child rights standards.

5. Guiding Principles

Ojeev Foundation believes that:

• Every child deserves protection.
• Every child has equal rights.
• Every child must be treated with dignity.
• The best interests of the child shall always be the primary consideration.
• Every allegation must be taken seriously.
• Confidentiality must be maintained.
• Every child has the right to be heard.
• Child safety is everyone’s responsibility.

6. Zero Tolerance Policy

Ojeev Foundation adopts a strict Zero Tolerance approach towards:

• Physical abuse
• Emotional abuse
• Sexual abuse
• Online abuse
• Neglect
• Bullying
• Harassment
• Child labour
• Child trafficking
• Exploitation
• Grooming
• Child marriage
• Discrimination
• Intimidation
• Corporal punishment
• Humiliation
• Forced labour
• Financial exploitation
• Religious coercion
• Emotional manipulation

Any violation may result in immediate disciplinary and legal action.

7. Types of Child Abuse

Physical Abuse

Any intentional act causing physical injury.

Examples include:

• Hitting
• Punching
• Kicking
• Burning
• Shaking
• Slapping
• Poisoning
• Physical punishment

Emotional Abuse

Persistent emotional mistreatment including:

• Humiliation
• Threats
• Verbal abuse
• Isolation
• Intimidation
• Public embarrassment
• Continuous criticism

Sexual Abuse

Includes:

• Sexual touching
• Sexual assault
• Grooming
• Sexual exploitation
• Child pornography
• Inappropriate conversations
• Online exploitation
• Exposure to explicit content

Neglect

Failure to provide:

• Food
• Shelter
• Medical care
• Supervision
• Education
• Emotional support
• Protection

Online Abuse

Includes:

• Cyberbullying
• Grooming
• Sharing child photographs without permission
• Unauthorized social media exposure
• Online harassment
• Privacy violations

8. Recruitment and Screening

Ojeev Foundation will take reasonable measures to ensure that individuals working with children are suitable for such roles.

Recruitment may include:

• Identity verification
• Reference checks
• Qualification verification
• Experience review
• Interview assessment
• Criminal background verification where legally permissible
• Declaration of adherence to this policy

9. Code of Conduct

All personnel must:

• Treat children respectfully.
• Use appropriate language.
• Respect privacy.
• Encourage participation.
• Maintain professional boundaries.
• Ensure transparency.
• Report concerns immediately.
• Promote equality.
• Obtain permission before photography.
• Protect confidential information.

10. Prohibited Behaviour

No representative of Ojeev Foundation shall:

• Hit or physically punish a child.
• Humiliate or insult a child.
• Use abusive language.
• Be alone with a child in inappropriate settings.
• Exchange personal gifts intended to create dependency.
• Develop inappropriate relationships.
• Share personal contact details without authorization.
• Transport children alone without approval where avoidable.
• Engage in discriminatory conduct.
• Encourage secrecy with children.
• Share inappropriate digital content.
• Request personal favors.
• Exploit children financially or emotionally.

11. Photography and Media

Photographs, videos, interviews, and stories involving children shall only be used when:

• Appropriate consent has been obtained from a parent, guardian, or other authorized representative where required.
• The child’s dignity is respected.
• Images are not misleading or exploitative.
• Sensitive personal information is not disclosed.
• Children are portrayed respectfully.
• Images are securely stored.

Children shall never be portrayed in a manner that is degrading, exploitative, or sensationalized.

12. Online Safety

Ojeev Foundation promotes responsible digital engagement by:

• Limiting online communication with children to authorized channels.
• Protecting personal information.
• Monitoring digital platforms used for programs where appropriate.
• Prohibiting private messaging outside approved purposes.
• Promoting cyber safety awareness.
• Reporting online abuse immediately.

13. Reporting Child Protection Concerns

Every employee, volunteer, intern, contractor, or partner has a duty to report any suspicion, allegation, disclosure, or concern involving a child’s safety.

Reports should include:

• Date
• Time
• Location
• Child involved
• Individuals involved
• Description of the concern
• Supporting evidence, if any

Reports should be made immediately and without delay.

14. Confidentiality

Information relating to child protection shall be:

• Shared only with authorized persons.
• Stored securely.
• Protected from unauthorized disclosure.
• Used only for legitimate safeguarding purposes.

Confidentiality shall be maintained while recognizing that information may need to be shared with competent authorities where required by law or to protect a child.

15. Investigation Procedure

When a report is received:

1. Immediate safety assessment.
2. Recording of information.
3. Preliminary review.
4. Internal safeguarding response.
5. Referral to appropriate authorities where required.
6. Cooperation with investigations.
7. Protection of the child.
8. Protection from retaliation.
9. Corrective actions.
10. Documentation and follow-up.

16. Support for Children

Where appropriate, Ojeev Foundation may facilitate access to:

• Counseling services
• Medical assistance
• Legal support
• Family support
• Educational assistance
• Referral to specialized child protection services

17. Responsibilities

Board of Directors

• Approve child protection measures.
• Ensure adequate oversight.
• Promote accountability.

Management

• Implement this policy.
• Allocate resources.
• Conduct training.
• Monitor compliance.

Employees and Volunteers

• Follow this policy.
• Complete training.
• Report concerns.
• Maintain professional conduct.

Partners

Partner organizations are expected to uphold child safeguarding standards consistent with this policy while participating in activities with Ojeev Foundation.

18. Training and Awareness

The Foundation may provide periodic awareness and training on:

• Child rights
• Child safeguarding
• Identifying abuse
• Mandatory reporting responsibilities
• Safe communication
• Digital safety
• Appropriate conduct

19. Risk Assessment

Child-related activities should consider reasonable safeguards, including:

• Supervision arrangements
• Venue safety
• Emergency preparedness
• Safe transportation
• Appropriate staff-to-child ratios where applicable
• Visitor management
• Incident response planning

20. Non-Retaliation

Any individual who reports concerns in good faith shall not be subjected to retaliation, discrimination, harassment, or adverse treatment because of making such a report.

21. Legal Compliance

Ojeev Foundation is committed to complying with all applicable child protection laws and regulations in India, including relevant provisions concerning child welfare, protection from abuse, and mandatory reporting where applicable.

22. Policy Review

This policy shall be reviewed periodically and may be updated to reflect:

• Changes in law
• Organizational requirements
• Best practices
• Operational experience
• Safeguarding improvements

The latest version will always be published on the Foundation’s official website.

23. Contact Us

For any child protection concerns, safeguarding issues, or policy-related questions, please contact:

Ojeev Foundation

Email: info@ojeev.org

Website: www.ojeev.org

Phone: +91 9220143121

Registered Office:

B3, Basement, A44, Sector 2, Noida, Uttar Pradesh – 201301

24. Policy Acceptance

By participating in any activity, employment, volunteer engagement, internship, partnership, or program conducted by Ojeev Foundation, individuals acknowledge that they have read, understood, and agree to comply with this Child Protection Policy. Failure to comply may result in disciplinary measures, termination of association, reporting to relevant authorities where appropriate, or other actions consistent with applicable law and organizational procedures.

Ojeev Foundation remains committed to ensuring that every child is treated with dignity, protected from harm, and provided with a safe environment in which to learn, grow, and thrive.