MEDIA RELEASE
Released By:
AusAID
AusAID today launched its latest Child Protection Policy, as part of its ongoing commitment to protecting children around the world.
"The Australian aid program has no higher priority than the protection of children from any form of exploitation or abuse," Director General Peter Baxter said.
"AusAID works every day to promote and protect children's rights, including increasing children's access to education and health services–that's why we take our responsibility to protect children seriously."
AusAID works in developing countries with some of the world's most vulnerable children–in some countries, up to 1 in 4 children suffer from abuse, exploitation, violence and neglect.
Australia became a party to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child in 1990 and is committed to upholding the rights and obligations of the convention.
The new Child Protection Policy 2013 provides a practical framework for AusAID partners to create safe environments for children.
"Every individual working under the Australian aid program has an obligation to protect children, and as part of this policy, AusAID will not fund any organisation that does not adhere to the policy."
AusAID was the first Australian Government agency–and the Australian Government was the first international government aid donor–to implement a child protection policy, which it began doing in 2008.
Following a commissioned independent review of our policy in 2011–2012, the updated policy now incorporates stakeholder recommendations made in the review and international best-practice on protective environments for children.
AusAID has developed mandatory child protection compliance standards in consultation with a broad range of stakeholders, including the Australian Federal Police, Global Child Protection Services, the NSW Ombudsman's Office, Save the Children, Plan International, ChildFund, the Australian Council for International Development, Oxfam and the Australian Childhood Foundation.
These standards follow five key principle–zero tolerance of child exploitation and abuse, recognition of the best interests of the child, sharing responsibility for child protection, procedural fairness, and a risk management approach to reduce the risks of child exploitation and abuse with aid activities.
"The Child Protection Policy 2013 puts child protection on the agenda, and provides a powerful example of what organisations can do to protect children."
"We are committed to ensuring this policy is effective and remains up to date, and will conduct a formal review every three years."
"It is AusAID's responsibility, shared with our partners, to create and maintain protective and safe environments for children," Mr Baxter said.
AusAID's Child Protection Policy 2013 is available at http://www.ausaid.gov.au/Publications/Pages/child-protection-policy.aspx