Child Protection Policy

Our commitment

Many of Prerit Welfare Foundation's programmes - literacy drives, learning circles, school support, health camps and scholarships - involve children. Every child has the right to be safe, respected and protected from harm. The foundation has zero tolerance for any form of abuse or exploitation of children.

This policy sets out how we keep children safe and what we expect from everyone who works with us. It applies to all staff, volunteers, volunteer teachers, interns, members, partners, visitors and anyone representing the foundation, in person and online.

What we mean by a child and by abuse

A child is anyone below 18 years of age. Abuse includes physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, neglect, and exploitation - including child labour, trafficking and online abuse such as grooming or sharing images of children. Harm can be caused by action or by failing to act.

Safe recruitment

• Everyone who will work with children applies through our formal process and is reviewed by a coordinator.
• Identity is verified, and references and police verification are sought where appropriate for roles with regular or unsupervised access to children.
• Every person receives an orientation on this policy and signs the code of behaviour before starting.
• No one with a known history of harm to children is engaged in any role.

Code of behaviour

Everyone working with children on behalf of the foundation must:

• follow the two-adult rule - never be alone with a child out of sight of other adults; activities take place in open, visible spaces or with another adult present;
• treat every child with respect, regardless of gender, caste, religion, disability or background;
• never hit, punish physically, humiliate, threaten or use abusive language with a child;
• never engage in any sexual behaviour or inappropriate physical contact, comments or jokes with a child;
• not contact children privately by phone, messaging apps or social media - communication about activities goes through parents, guardians, teachers or the coordinator;
• not give gifts, money or special favours to individual children, or invite children to their home;
• not transport a child alone, except in an emergency and with the coordinator informed;
• never employ a child in any work, including domestic work.

Photographs, videos and consent

• Photographs and videos of children are taken and published only with the written consent of a parent or guardian, and the child's own agreement where they are old enough to give it.
• Published images never show children in a state of undress, distress or in a degrading manner.
• We do not publish details that could identify where a child can be found, such as full name, school, address or exact location, together with a photograph.
• Volunteers must not take or share photographs of children on personal devices or social media unless approved by the foundation. Images are stored securely and removed on request.

Online sessions

Digital learning sessions use platforms approved by the foundation. Sessions are arranged through parents, guardians, teachers or coordinators, and wherever possible another adult is present. Volunteers must not ask children for personal contact details, photographs or private one-to-one online contact.

Reporting a concern

If a child tells you about abuse, or you see or suspect that a child is being harmed:

1. If the child is in immediate danger, call 112 (national emergency number).
2. Listen calmly, reassure the child and do not ask leading questions or investigate yourself. Do not promise to keep it a secret.
3. Write down what you saw or heard, in the child's words, with the date and time.
4. Report it to your coordinator or the foundation immediately - through the Grievance Redressal page or by writing to us marked "Confidential".

Childline 1098 is India's national, free, 24-hour helpline for children in need of care and protection. Anyone - including a child - can call it.

Concerns are handled confidentially and shared only with those who need to know to protect the child. No one who reports a concern in good faith will face any adverse action.

The POCSO Act and our legal duty

The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012 protects children from sexual abuse and exploitation. Under the Act, any person who knows or suspects that a sexual offence has been committed against a child must report it to the local police or the Special Juvenile Police Unit; failing to report is itself an offence.

The foundation reports such concerns to the authorities as required by law and cooperates fully with the police and child welfare authorities. All staff and volunteers are made aware of this duty during orientation.

Responding to allegations

• Every allegation is taken seriously and acted on promptly.
• The person concerned is removed from any contact with children while the matter is examined, without presuming guilt.
• The foundation reports the matter to the police or child welfare authorities where required, and supports the child and family in accessing help.
• Where a breach of this policy is confirmed, the person's association with the foundation is ended and the matter may be reported to the authorities.

Training and review

Staff and volunteers receive orientation on child protection before they begin, and refreshers when needed. This policy is reviewed regularly and whenever the law or our programmes change. The date of the latest update is shown at the end of this page.

Last updated: 16 Oct 2026