Safeguarding: Misereor

Publications Whistleblowing system and ombudsperson's office

The word "safeguarding" is used as an umbrella term and includes both child protection and protection against sexualised violence and exploitation. It refers to Misereor’s responsibility to ensure that no harm is done to children and vulnerable adults, either by staff or in the context of projects funded by Misereor. At the same time, safeguarding also concerns the protection of Misereor’s own staff.

Both as an employer and as a partner in international cooperation, Misereor works towards preventing and condemning sexualised violence in all its forms and implements applicable standards in its own organisation.

Misereor works with local partners in Africa, Asia and Latin America and supports their projects. The legal holders of the projects are the partners themselves and thus also bear the responsibility for the projects. In the trusted and, in some cases, long-standing cooperation with our partners, we promote and uphold safeguarding standards while fostering a culture of vigilance and responsibility in the fight against sexualised violence and exploitation.

Sabine Bartz

Head of Human Resources Department

Telephone: +49 241 442280
E-mail: personal@misereor.de

In Misereor’s funding criteria, the prevention of and the dealing with sexualised violence, in particular with regard to child protection, are indicated as essential components of project funding. Applicants are required to address these measures in their proposals. In the dialogue with our partners, we openly discuss the prevention and response to sexualised violence and exploitation. Misereor supports its partners in further developing and promoting a culture of safeguarding and child protection as an essential part of their organisation and provides advisory services.

In addition, all staff, volunteers and persons working on behalf of Misereor sign a code of conduct and participate in regular prevention trainings. Furthermore, Misereor seeks to develop greater sensitivity and expertise for safeguarding within its own organisation. Therefore, regular communication with staff, mandatory training and in-depth training of resource persons on safeguarding is provided.

All reports of sexualised violence and exploitation are taken seriously, treated confidentially, followed up and documented.

Safeguarding guideline

Safeguarding policy. Child protection and protection from sexualised violence and exploitation

This policy is intended to raise awareness of safeguarding among Misereor staff, Misereor partners…

This policy is intended to raise awareness of safeguarding among Misereor staff, Misereor partners and all those associated with Misereor. The policy identifies possible ways to take preventive and reactive action to protect (potentially) affected persons. The case management described in the policy ensures that those affected are supported, taking into account their needs, and that (suspected) cases are dealt with appropriately and transparently.

Published by: Misereor
Year of publication: 2021
Pages: 9

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Published by: Misereor
Year of publication: 2021
Pages: 9

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Protection from sexualised violence and exploitation in development cooperation and humanitarian aid

The member organisations of VENRO, an association that represents the interests of 140 development…

The member organisations of VENRO, an association that represents the interests of 140 development and humanitarian non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in Germany, have committed themselves to creating an environment in their organisations in which abuse of entrusted power is effectively prevented and to taking appropriate safeguarding measures. This guide is intended to help fulfil the responsibility towards the people with whom and for whom work is being done.

Published by: VENRO
Year of publication: 2019
Pages: 40

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Published by: VENRO
Year of publication: 2019
Pages: 40

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Statement: Protection from sexualised violence and exploitation at Misereor and its partners

In view of the reporting on sexual abuse and its cover-up in the Catholic Church, Misereor takes a…

In view of the reporting on sexual abuse and its cover-up in the Catholic Church, Misereor takes a stand and presents its own safeguarding measures, which aim to protect people from sexualised violence and exploitation.

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We are committed to preventing and dealing with sexualised violence. That is why we actively confront our own history and raise awareness of this important issue.

Misereor confronts its own history (PDF) Safeguarding policy of the Diocese in Aachen Protection policy of the German Bishops' Conference (DBK) for the prevention of sexualised violence (PDF) Statement on cases of sexualised violence in Bolivia (PDF)

We use a web-based system through which reports can be submitted easily and anonymously. The whistleblowing system serves as an input channel for reports of violations of Misereor’s code of conduct, internal regulations of the organisation or applicable laws. It is equally available to partners, employees, volunteers, service providers, donors and other anonymous whistleblowers. All reports are carefully examined and treated confidentially.

If you would like to make a report, you can contact ombudsperson Sabine Harles. With degrees in Catholic Theology and German philology, she worked for Katholische Frauengemeinschaft Deutschland (kfd) until her retirement.

Sabine Harles is an independent external point of contact for affected individuals who would like to make a report – for Misereor staff, international partners and the general public. She performs this work as a volunteer and has no employment or managerial relationship with Misereor or any other Universal Church Organisation. She receives no remuneration, only reimbursement of her expenses. Furthermore, she does not act as a legal representative of Misereor.

Reports about conduct violating the Misereor Safeguarding Policy can be submitted to Sabine Harles by regular mail or through our whistleblowing system. For both reporting options, the protection of the whistleblower has the highest priority.

Address for contacting the ombudsperson’s office by regular mail:

Bischöfliches Hilfswerk Misereor e. V.
Ombudsstelle Safeguarding
Mozartstr. 9
52064 Aachen, Germany

Contacting the ombudsperson’s office through the whistleblowing system

It is important for me for people who have experienced or witnessed abusive behaviour to have the possibility to contact a neutral person. I am happy to take on this role on a voluntary basis for two years.

Sabine Harles
Ombudsperson

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Our Board of Directors is composed of our three managers: Andreas Frick, Annette Ptassek and Bernd Bornhorst.

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Learn more about our mandate, the three pillars of our work and our civil society network.

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Safeguarding

What does "safeguarding" mean?

Preventing abuse of power

Sabine Bartz

Preventing sexualised violence

Our publications on “safeguarding”

Safeguarding policy. Child protection and protection from sexualised violence and exploitation

Protection from sexualised violence and exploitation in development cooperation and humanitarian aid

Statement: Protection from sexualised violence and exploitation at Misereor and its partners

Do you want to report sexualised violence?

Whistleblowing system and ombudsperson's office

Ombudsperson for safeguarding

Transparency

Board of Directors

Mandate & structure