Policy statement
Every person, child or adult, has the right to be treated with dignity and respect. We recognise and acknowledge our duty of care, our organisational, collective and individual responsibilities to safeguard children, families who partner with Habitat for Humanity, program participants, community members with whom we have contact, and our colleagues and volunteers. This safeguarding policy has been developed as part of our safeguarding framework to reinforce the principles of “do no harm” and gender equality and is part of our risk-based approach to preventing and deterring unintentional or deliberate behaviours, actions or programming by HFHGB representatives that create a risk of or result in child and adult abuse; discrimination; sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment (or SEAH); and labour exploitation. HFHGB maintains a zero-tolerance approach for any abuse of power. All concerns, suspicions or known abuses of power must be reported in accordance with reporting protocols. Our Whistleblowing Policy prohibits retaliation against any reporter acting in good faith, even if the allegation is later unsubstantiated.
We acknowledge that inherently unequal power dynamics exist between HFHGB and children, families who partner with Habitat for Humanity, and adults living in the communities where we operate. Housing inequities, disaster responses and community impact projects increase the likelihood of power being abused. Therefore, HFHGB strictly prohibits sexual activity with any person under the age of 18 years old, regardless of the legal age of consent in the country where the child lives or the contact occurs. Mistaken belief in the age of the child is not a defense. HFHGB also prohibits sexual activity with any program participant, project recipient or community member. And, during the project implementation period, sexual activity and relationships between and among staff members and volunteers who meet through the HFHGB project are strongly discouraged. Any relationship should be declared in line with our Conflict of Interest Policy. Volunteers must also adhere to the policies restricting relationships with community members unless they live in and are from the community.
When any abuse of power is reported, we maintain a zero tolerance for inaction approach.
Read our full Safeguarding Policy here.
Report a concern
When incidents arise, Habitat employees, volunteers, beneficiaries, vendors, partner agencies and donors can use the Habitat Ethics and Accountability Line (formerly known as the MySafeWorkplace® Ethics and Compliance Portal), to report concerns (heal.habitat.org).
If you would like to report a concern, please email us on safeguarding@habitatforhumanity.org.uk.