Safeguarding
Everyone has the right to be treated with dignity and safety
TUSIC seeks to prevent and respond to harm connected with our people, activities, communications and relationships, particularly where unequal power or vulnerability increases risk.
Immediate danger: This website is not an emergency service. Contact an appropriate local emergency, medical, child protection or specialist support service if someone faces immediate harm.
What safeguarding means
Preventing harm caused through contact with our organization
Safeguarding means taking reasonable steps to prevent and respond to harm that may arise through TUSIC’s personnel, representatives, activities, operations or use of information.
It includes protection from sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, violence, neglect, bullying, discrimination, trafficking and other forms of abuse or exploitation.
Safeguarding applies to children and adults. Additional care is required where age, disability, displacement, dependency, poverty, discrimination or another circumstance increases risk.
Our safeguarding commitments
Building safety into how TUSIC works
TUSIC’s safeguarding arrangements should be based on prevention, clear conduct standards, accessible reporting and responsible response.
Prevent harm
Identify safeguarding risks before activities begin and implement appropriate measures to reduce those risks.
Set conduct standards
Ensure representatives understand prohibited behaviour, professional boundaries and their duty to raise concerns.
Recruit responsibly
Use appropriate role screening, references, declarations and checks where lawful, proportionate and available.
Make reporting accessible
Provide understandable and safe ways for community members, personnel and others to report concerns.
Respond appropriately
Assess immediate risk, protect relevant information and refer the matter to authorized personnel.
Learn and improve
Use incidents, concerns and feedback to strengthen controls, training and organizational practice.
Expected conduct
Abuse and exploitation are never acceptable
These prohibitions should apply to anyone acting for or representing TUSIC, including leadership, staff, volunteers, consultants and other authorized representatives.
Sexual exploitation and abuse
Using a position of power, trust or vulnerability for sexual purposes is prohibited.
Sexual activity with children
Sexual activity with a person under 18 is prohibited, regardless of local age-of-consent rules or mistaken belief.
Exchange for assistance
Money, employment, goods, services or assistance must not be exchanged for sex or sexual acts.
Harassment and intimidation
Harassment, threats, bullying, coercion, humiliation and retaliation are not acceptable.
Abuse of information
Images, stories and personal information must not be used in ways that exploit, expose or endanger people.
Ignoring a concern
Known or suspected safeguarding concerns must not be concealed, dismissed or investigated informally.
Safeguarding children
The best interests and safety of children come first
Activities involving anyone under 18 require appropriate risk assessment, consent arrangements, supervision, safe communication and responsible handling of images and information.
Safe participation
Plan activities to reduce avoidable physical, emotional, sexual and online risks.
Appropriate boundaries
Avoid unnecessary private contact, isolated access or inappropriate personal communication.
Images and stories
Use informed consent and avoid content that identifies, sexualizes, humiliates or creates additional risk.
Listen carefully
Take disclosures seriously without pressuring, leading or repeatedly questioning the child.
When to report
Raise any reasonable safeguarding concern
A concern may relate to something you experienced, witnessed, were told about or reasonably suspect.
Report a concern
Tell TUSIC what you know
Select Safeguarding concern in the form or begin your message with the word SAFEGUARDING so the submission can be identified appropriately.
Describe what happened and when, using your own words.
Explain whether anyone faces immediate or continuing risk.
Provide a safe contact method only if you wish to be contacted.
Do not place yourself at risk to collect evidence.
After a report
A safety-led and appropriately authorized response
The response depends on immediate risk, the people affected, the information available, applicable requirements and the authority TUSIC has to act.
Receive safely
Record the concern and restrict access to appropriately authorized people.
Assess risk
Consider immediate danger, medical needs, child protection and continuing contact risks.
Refer appropriately
Escalate internally and seek specialist or statutory support where required and appropriate.
Decide next steps
Determine safeguarding measures, support, authorized review and communication.
Follow up
Monitor agreed actions and record organizational learning without unnecessary disclosure.
Privacy and confidentiality
Information must be handled carefully
Safeguarding information should be shared only with people who need it for safety, authorized response, specialist advice or applicable reporting obligations.
Related information