safeguarding
Our responsibility to protect those at risk
When and how we act to prevent harm
Safeguarding is not an administrative task. It is a moral and legal responsibility that we take seriously in every aspect of our work.
We have a duty to protect children and vulnerable adults from harm. This duty applies regardless of where that harm is occurring, who is causing it, or whether the person at risk wants us to intervene. Where there is a current risk of significant harm, we act. We do not wait for certainty. We do not prioritise organisational reputation over safety.
Our safeguarding protocols are clear, and everyone involved in The Survivors—survivors, volunteers, professionals, and staff—is made aware of them from the outset. We explain what safeguarding means, when we are legally obliged to share information, and what happens when a concern is raised. This is not hidden in terms and conditions. It is communicated openly and in plain language.
If someone discloses information that indicates a child or vulnerable adult is at risk, we will take appropriate action. This may include reporting to statutory authorities such as the police or social services. We do not make these decisions lightly, and we do not make them alone. Where possible, we involve the person who has disclosed in decisions about how to proceed, but we are clear that there are circumstances where confidentiality cannot be maintained and where we are legally required to act.
We do not use safeguarding as a tool of control or as a way to silence difficult conversations. Safeguarding concerns are handled with care, sensitivity, and proper process. We do not conflate disagreement, criticism, or emotional distress with safeguarding issues. The threshold for intervention is harm or risk of harm, not discomfort or conflict.
Everyone working with or for The Survivors is expected to understand their safeguarding responsibilities. Volunteers receive training appropriate to their role. Professionals working with us are expected to maintain their own professional safeguarding standards. We do not assume that good intentions are sufficient. Safeguarding requires knowledge, vigilance, and the willingness to act even when it is uncomfortable.
We also recognise that safeguarding is not only about responding to disclosures. It is about creating environments that are as safe as possible from the outset. This means carefully considering who has access to whom, maintaining appropriate boundaries, ensuring supervision and accountability, and not placing people in situations where harm is more likely to occur.
If a safeguarding concern is raised about someone involved in our organisation, we take it seriously. We follow due process. We do not dismiss allegations, but we also do not assume guilt. We seek to establish facts, to protect those at risk, and to act in accordance with legal and ethical obligations. This process is difficult, and it is sometimes slow, but it is necessary.
Safeguarding is everyone's responsibility. If you have concerns, you have the right and the responsibility to raise them. We will listen, and we will act appropriately.