Effective Date: 28 September 2024

At Srividya Foundation, we are committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of all children and young people who participate in our programs, courses, or activities, whether in person or online. This policy is designed to provide clear guidelines on how we protect children, handle data related to minors, and create a safe environment for learning and engagement. It also outlines the procedures for reporting concerns about child safety.

1. Purpose
The purpose of this Child Protection Policy is to:

Establish a framework for safeguarding children and young people who engage with Srividya Foundation.
Define the responsibilities of staff, volunteers, parents/guardians, and other stakeholders in protecting minors.
Ensure that all activities involving minors are conducted in a safe, respectful, and nurturing environment.

2. Scope
This policy applies to:

All staff members, volunteers, facilitators, contractors, and anyone else working with or on behalf of Srividya Foundation.
All programs, courses, activities, workshops, events, and interactions involving minors, whether conducted in person, online, or through other means.

3. Definition of a Minor
For the purpose of this policy, a “minor” is defined as any individual under the age of 18 years.

4. Principles and Commitment
Srividya Foundation is committed to:

Ensuring a Safe Environment: Providing a safe, nurturing, and positive environment for all minors participating in our programs.
Respecting Privacy: Respecting the privacy and confidentiality of all minors and their families.
Empowering Children: Encouraging the active participation of children in our programs, ensuring they feel valued, heard, and respected.
Zero Tolerance for Abuse: Maintaining a zero-tolerance approach toward any form of abuse, exploitation, or neglect of minors.

5. Guidelines for Working with Minors
5.1 Interaction and Behavior

Respect and Dignity: Treat all children and young people with respect, dignity, and consideration, regardless of their background, culture, religion, gender, or abilities.
Appropriate Communication: Use age-appropriate language and avoid making inappropriate or suggestive comments, jokes, or gestures.
Physical Contact: Avoid unnecessary physical contact with minors. Any physical contact should be respectful, appropriate, and limited to what is necessary for the activity.
Online Interaction: When interacting with minors in an online setting (e.g., virtual classes), ensure that the communication is professional, respectful, and limited to program-related discussions.

5.2 Parental Consent and Involvement

Consent: Obtain written consent from parents or guardians before a minor participates in any Srividya Foundation program or activity. Consent forms should outline the nature of the program, activities involved, and any associated risks.
Parental Involvement: Encourage parents, guardians, or teachers to be present during sessions involving minors, especially in online settings, to ensure a safe and supportive environment.

6. Data Protection and Privacy
Confidentiality: All personal information about minors collected by Srividya Foundation will be treated as confidential and stored securely. This includes names, contact details, photographs, videos, and any other personal data.
Use of Images and Videos: Written consent from parents or guardians must be obtained before capturing or using any images, videos, or recordings of minors. These materials will only be used for purposes related to the program or promotion of Srividya Foundation with explicit consent.
Data Access: Access to personal data related to minors will be restricted to authorized personnel only and used solely for program-related purposes.

7. Recognizing and Responding to Abuse
7.1 Types of Abuse

It’s important to recognize the different forms of abuse that a minor may experience, including:

Physical Abuse: Intentional harm or injury to a child.
Emotional Abuse: Behavior that harms a child’s emotional well-being or self-esteem.
Sexual Abuse: Any form of sexual activity with a child, including inappropriate touching, exposure, or exploitation.
Neglect: Failure to provide for a child’s basic needs, such as food, shelter, or medical care.

7.2 Reporting Suspected Abuse

Immediate Action: If you suspect that a child is at risk or has experienced abuse, you must report your concerns immediately to the designated Child Protection Officer or the Executive Director of Srividya Foundation.

Confidential Reporting: Reports can be made confidentially by contacting us via email at info@srividya.net or through an anonymous reporting form legal@srividya.org.
Legal Obligations: Srividya Foundation will comply with all legal requirements regarding the reporting of suspected abuse and will cooperate fully with law enforcement agencies or child protection authorities.

8. Roles and Responsibilities
Staff and Volunteers: All staff and volunteers are responsible for being vigilant, following this policy, and taking appropriate action if they suspect abuse or have concerns about a minor’s safety.
Parents/Guardians: Parents and guardians are encouraged to actively participate in their child’s experience with Srividya Foundation and report any concerns about their child’s safety.
Designated Child Protection Officer: The Child Protection Officer is responsible for overseeing the implementation of this policy, handling reports of abuse, and ensuring compliance with child protection laws and regulations.

9. Training and Awareness
Training: All staff, volunteers, and individuals working with minors will receive training on child protection, recognizing abuse, and understanding their responsibilities under this policy.
Ongoing Awareness: Srividya Foundation will regularly review and update its child protection training to ensure that all individuals are aware of their obligations and responsibilities.

10. Monitoring and Review
This Child Protection Policy will be reviewed annually, or more frequently if needed, to ensure its effectiveness and compliance with legal requirements. Any updates or changes will be communicated to all staff, volunteers, and participants.

11. Consequences of Policy Violation
Any breach of this Child Protection Policy will be taken seriously and may result in disciplinary action, including dismissal, termination of volunteer engagement, or legal action, depending on the severity of the violation.

12. Contact Information
If you have any concerns, questions, or need to report a chid protection issue, please contact:

Child Protection Officer
Srividya Foundation
1376, West Lagoon Road, Pleasanton, CA 94566
Phone: +1 707-789-1017
Email: info@srividya.net
EIN: 99-1557390

Acknowledgment
By participating in or engaging with Srividya Foundation’s programs involving minors, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to abide by this Child Protection Policy.