Our PSEAH Policy

Our PSEAH Policy

We are committed to creating safe spaces for everyone. Our policy on Protection from Sexual Exploitation, Abuse, and Harassment sets clear standards to prevent harm and respond swiftly to any misconduct.

Zero-tolerance
GN takes a zero-tolerance approach to any forms of harm, abuse and exploitation regardless
of its gravity. Abuse or exploitation manifests itself when there is an imbalance of power. This
perceived power imbalance should not be used to advantage or to cause any harm. We also
recognize that Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (SEA) is more likely to occur where there are
inequalities particularly those experienced by children, women, vulnerable adults and on the
grounds of ethnicity, gender, age, religion and disability. These forms of discrimination will not
be tolerated. We are committed to holding whoever misuses their authority and causes harm
to vulnerable populations to account.

Shared responsibility and accountability
GN believes safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility. We will ensure that all those affiliated
with GN – all of our employees, board members and partners – understand their
responsibilities of upholding the safeguarding principles and procedures. Everyone involved
with GN’s work is accountable for being alert to any possibility of abuse of power or
exploitation around them both during and outside working hours and identifying and reporting
any witnessed or known violations in accordance with our safeguarding systems. We are also
fully aware of our commitment to helping partners meet the minimum requirements of
safeguarding.

Do no harm
GN makes sure that we do no harm to all children and vulnerable adults in every aspect of all
our programming and organizational operations. We will do our utmost to minimize any
safeguarding risks by carrying out risk assessments and mitigating actions on all programs
and projects, and reflect suggestions made by community members.

Best interests of children and vulnerable adults
GN keeps the best interests of children and vulnerable adults as the top priority when enacting
policies and operating our programs. We believe that everyone has a right to live their lives
free from sexual abuse, exploitation and harassment, and that no one should be subjected to
abuse in any form. To make sure their rights and best interests are fully realized, we will
enable children and vulnerable adults to make informed decisions as active participants in our
work. Particularly, the best interests of the child shall be a key consideration so that children
make their own choices and know how their decisions will affect their lives.

Confidentiality
GN commits to keeping all sensitive/confidential information and/or documents pertaining to
an investigation. Information will only be made available to those authorized conducting the
investigation. To prevent information leakage to external stakeholders, we shall ensure that
emails or documents containing sensitive information should be approved by safeguarding
focal person/s and the head of the organization prior to sending.

Survivor-centered approach
GN is committed to listening and understanding the survivors by proactively acting on their
situation with dignity and respect. The core intervention is focused on the survivor and will
build on his/her capacity to stabilize his/her social functioning. Support for the survivors is a
priority, with their privacy being maintained. We also commit to creating an environment where
survivors feel safe to engage, and their engagement will not harm them. It is a core belief of
GN to help create sustainable communities where survivors and individuals have a voice, -
have the capacity and resources to organize themselves and are able to make their own
decisions, enabling them to stay safe and protected.

Safe environment and organizational culture
In every aspect of our work, our commitment is to create and cultivate a safe, harmonious and
respectful environment. We will share this culture with all of those we serve including our
employees and partners. Any forms of bad behavior, misconduct and violations of this policy
will not be tolerated. Our safeguarding focal persons and senior leadership, in all GN global
offices and partnership countries, shall spread best safeguarding practices, listen to feedback,
and encourage continuous learning to improve this policy and support its wider
implementation. We will also ensure that safeguarding issues within GN are transparently and
objectively shared and discussed in order to prevent any poor practices. Furthermore, GN is
committed to the continuous improvement of its safeguarding efforts by learning through its
management processes, community engagement and the monitoring of best practice.

Risk management approach

GN takes a proactive role to mitigate or curb the occurrences of risks when developing and
delivering all of its projects, programs and activities. Safeguarding risks are identified,
monitored, mitigated and regularly reviewed and owned - with clear lines of responsibility and
accountability in the different levels of the organization


To request for our full PSEA SH Policy, please email our Sponsorship Division Manager: shirleyfontawa@goodneighbors.ph