Protection is not an administrative detail.
It is part of how we understand peacebuilding.
Everyone who comes into contact with Peace of Art should be treated with dignity, respect and fairness and should be able to raise concerns without fear of retaliation.
Peacebuilding begins inside our own organisation.
Safeguarding is not simply an internal policy requirement. It is a responsibility created by the trust placed in us by children, young people, adults, volunteers, communities, partners and organisations.
Our safeguarding and accountability principles guide Peace of Art's work throughout its international network, including Germany, Lebanon, the United States and international activities.
What comes first.
Safety before reputation.
Dignity before publicity.
People before institutions.
Accountability at every level.
Your voice matters.
Anyone may raise a concern relating to Peace of Art. You do not need to be an employee, volunteer or programme participant.
Concerns may relate to safeguarding, harassment, discrimination, exploitation, fraud, misuse of resources, privacy violations, retaliation, unsafe practices or other serious misconduct.
Our reporting mechanism is not an emergency service. If someone is in immediate danger, contact the appropriate emergency, police, child-protection or other competent authority in the country where the situation is occurring.
Share what you safely can.
You do not need to investigate the matter yourself. Please do not place yourself or another person at risk in order to obtain evidence.
Sensitive information deserves special protection.
Safeguarding and complaint records can contain highly sensitive personal information. Access should therefore be restricted and information should only be shared where there is a legitimate need to know.
Safeguarding information should not be circulated through broad mailing lists, open folders or unnecessary communication channels.
Read our Legal & Privacy information →Sensitive records should only be accessible to people who have a legitimate reason to receive them.
Reports are handled with particular care and, where possible, on a need-to-know basis.
Information may need to be shared where necessary to protect someone or comply with applicable law.
Personal information, photographs and stories should not be shared through unauthorised channels.
Protection across our work.
Children & Young People
Safety, supervision, professional boundaries, privacy, consent and appropriate reporting mechanisms.
PSEAH
Protection from sexual exploitation, sexual abuse and sexual harassment.
Harassment & Discrimination
Protection from bullying, intimidation, degrading treatment and unjust discrimination.
Disability Inclusion
Accessible participation and reporting, dignity, inclusion and reasonable accommodation.
Safer Recruitment
Screening, references, training, role-based safeguards and appropriate checks.
Digital Safeguarding
Responsible online communication, data sharing and digital interaction.
Photography & Storytelling
Meaningful consent, privacy, dignity and responsible representation.
Whistleblowing
Responsible reporting of fraud, corruption and serious organisational wrongdoing.
Partners & Contractors
Safeguarding responsibility also applies within relevant partnerships and joint activities.
Children require particular protection.
Peace of Art generally considers a child to be any person under 18 for safeguarding purposes.
Activities involving children should consider physical safety, emotional wellbeing, supervision, appropriate adult-child boundaries, photography, online communication, accessibility, confidentiality and reporting mechanisms.
A concern should lead to responsible action.
The concern is received and, where possible, acknowledged.
Immediate risks to children or other persons are considered.
Someone implicated in a complaint should not handle that complaint.
The issue is identified as safeguarding, HR, financial, privacy, governance or another matter.
A proportionate and impartial review or investigation may be undertaken.
Appropriate corrective, safeguarding, disciplinary or referral action may follow.
Where legally and practically possible, relevant outcomes may be communicated.
Lessons should strengthen future policies, training and programme design.
No retaliation for good-faith reporting.
Peace of Art does not tolerate retaliation against someone who raises a concern honestly and in good faith.
Retaliation may include threats, intimidation, harassment, exclusion, adverse treatment, interference with employment or volunteering, pressure to withdraw a complaint or punishment for participating in an investigation.
Leadership is not exempt.
Board members, directors and senior representatives are subject to safeguarding and ethical standards. A complaint involving senior leadership should be referred to an appropriate alternative or independent level rather than being handled solely by the person concerned.
Explore our Governance →Detailed policy sections.
Select any section below to read the detailed framework.
International principles. Local legal responsibility.
Our approach is informed by internationally recognised human-rights and safeguarding principles, including child-protection standards and principles concerning protection from sexual exploitation and abuse.
Because Peace of Art operates internationally, specific legal obligations may differ between countries. Where national law establishes stronger or additional protections, those applicable requirements must be respected.
Speaking up is part of accountability.
You have the right to tell us when something has gone wrong.
You have the right to raise a safeguarding concern.
You have the right to make a complaint about our work.
You have the right to question decisions that affect you.