Keeping children safe: Our policies and practices
At World Vision the care and protection of children and vulnerable adult beneficiaries is our top priority. It is the focus of both our work in communities around the world and our advocacy on behalf of all children, especially the most vulnerable.
We take our responsibility to protect those we work with seriously. We have extensive Child Protection policies and protocols in place to safeguard children and communities. We condemn all forms of exploitation or abuse of children or adults, and have a zero-tolerance policy of incidents of violence, especially against children.
World Vision complies with the mandatory reporting required by the Australian Government. All World Vision staff and partners must by law report any alleged child protection breaches.
Our humanitarian work is carried out in accordance with the humanitarian principles – humanity, neutrality, impartiality and independence. This includes avoiding exposing people to harm through humanitarian assistance.
World Vision has comprehensive policies and practices in place to protect recipients when local partners deliver aid. Our standard practice is to obtain police checks for all staff and volunteers before they distribute aid. In situations where police checks can’t be obtained, volunteers or new staff follow the World Vision International exemption process to comply with best practice.
New World Vision Australia staff and volunteers undertake orientation in World Vision’s policies and protocols, as well as a National Police Check and a Working with Children Check (or State equivalent). All staff and volunteers must agree to observe those policies and understand the disciplinary actions for any policy violations.
Key policies and protocols include the World Vision Child & Adult Safeguarding Policy, humanitarian charters and child protection. Extra screening measures, such as behavioural-based interview questions, are used when hiring for positions that involve working directly with children.
Strict safeguards around our Child Sponsorship program are in place to protect sponsored children. Sponsors must obtain a National Police Check through us before visiting their sponsored child. All visits are organised and chaperoned by local World Vision staff. Protocols manage how photos and video recordings of sponsored children are used, and letters are opened and vetted. Read our FAQs for more information on sponsor visits. Or you can read our full Child and Adult Safeguarding Policy
World Vision has a confidential Whistleblower Hotline through Your-Call, an independent and external service. Your-Call enables reports to be made anonymously and confidentially. All reports are investigated. Visit www.yourcall.com.au/report (you will be required to enter World Vision Australia’s unique identifier code WVA) or call 1300 790 228.
If you have any further questions you can email us at safeguarding@worldvision.com.au or call us on 13 32 40 within Australia. Or you can submit an enquiry if you're overseas.