IRC works around the world to help people whose lives and livelihoods are shattered by conflict and disaster, including the climate crisis, to survive, recover and gain control over their future. In doing this, IRC endeavors to ensure that everyone coming into contact with our organization is safe.
Safeguarding is IRC’s responsibility to prevent, identify and respond to all forms of harassment, exploitation and abuse of clients, staff and associates by those who work for or are associated with the IRC. This includes any type of physical, verbal, emotional, psychological, economic, and sexualized violence, and any other form of abuse of power.
If you have a safeguarding concern, learn more about reporting it here.
How IRC safeguards adult and child clients, as well as staff and associates.
Following are some ways we uphold our safeguarding commitments:
- Undertake safe recruitment and thorough training for incoming staff.
- Conduct regular safeguarding refresher trainings for staff.
- Consider and address safeguarding risks when designing programs and working with third partners.
- Create and promote safe and accessible reporting mechanisms.
- Respond in a timely, survivor-centered way to all safeguarding incidents.
- Learn from feedback, incidents, and trends – and course correct as needed.
Rooted in IRC’s Code of Conduct – The IRC Way – IRC’s Safeguarding Policy lays out our comprehensive safeguarding commitments. The Policy includes guidance on Protection from Sexual Exploitation, Abuse, and Harassment (PSEAH), Adult Safeguarding, Child Safeguarding, Intersectional Considerations, and Digital Safeguarding – in addition to responsive services, reporting, and non-retaliation. The IRC’s Safeguarding Policy outlines our commitment to creating a safe and respectful environment for all individuals we serve and work with.
The Policy is available in several languages, including Amharic, Arabic, Bengali, Burmese, Dari, English, French, Pashto, Somali, Spanish, Swahili, Ukrainian and Urdu. You can access all of them here.