Minor Protection Standards

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Standards for the protection of minors AMW REWITA Sp. z o.o. — Short version

Standards for the protection of minors AMW REWITA Sp. z o.o.

Standards for the Protection of Minors Amw Rewita Sp. Z O.O.

§ 1. Preamble

Taking into account the obligation resulting from the Act of May 13, 2016, on counteracting threats of crime of a sexual nature and protecting minors, to introduce to entities providing hotel and tourist services, as well as running other collective accommodation places, standards necessary to ensure the protection of minors, and recognizing the important role of business in ensuring respect for the rights of Children, especially the right to protect their dignity and freedom from all forms of harm, AMW REWITA Sp. z o.o. adopts this document as a pattern of standards, principles, and procedures in the event of suspicion that a Child staying in the Rewita Branch is being harmed and to prevent such threats.

§ 2. General provisions

1. AMW REWITA Sp. z o.o. conducts its operational activities with the utmost respect for human rights, especially the rights of Children as persons particularly vulnerable to harm.
2. AMW REWITA Sp. z o.o. recognizes its role in conducting socially responsible business and promoting desirable social attitudes.
3. AMW REWITA Sp. z o.o. particularly emphasizes the legal and social duty to notify law enforcement authorities of any suspicion of committing a crime against Children and commits to training its Personnel in this regard.
4. AMW REWITA Sp. z o.o. commits to educating Personnel about circumstances indicating that a Child staying in Rewita Branches may be harmed and on ways of quick and appropriate response to such situations.

§ 3. Definitions

1. Child – any person under 18 years of age;
2. Harm to a Child – commission of a prohibited or punishable act causing harm to a Child by any person, including Personnel member, or endangering the Child’s welfare, including neglect. Crimes against Children can include all offenses that can be committed against adults, plus offenses committed exclusively against Children (e.g., sexual exploitation under Article 200 of the Penal Code). Due to the nature of tourist facilities where isolation can be easily achieved, the most common crimes on their premises will be offenses against sexual freedom and morality, especially rape (Article 197 Penal Code), sexual exploitation of incapacity and helplessness (Article 198 PC), sexual exploitation of dependency or critical condition (Article 199 PC), sexual exploitation of a person under 15 years (Article 200 PC), grooming (seduction of a minor via remote communication means – Article 200a PC);
3. Child’s Guardian – a person authorized to represent the Child, in particular a parent or legal guardian. According to the Standards, a foster parent is also considered a guardian;
4. Personnel – a person employed by the Company under an employment contract, civil law contract, member of the organization, as well as volunteer and intern;
5. Company – AMW REWITA Sp. z o.o.; 6. Standards – Standards for the protection of minors at AMW Rewita Sp. z o.o.

§ 4. Principles ensuring safe relationships between Personnel and the Child

1. The primary rule of all activities undertaken by Personnel is to act for the Child’s good and in their best interest.
2. Personnel treat the Child with respect, considering their dignity and needs. Use of violence against the Child in any form is unacceptable. Personnel carry out these objectives within the framework of applicable law, organizational internal regulations, and their competences.
3. Personnel is obligated to maintain a professional relationship with Children and always consider whether their response, communication, or action towards the Child is appropriate, safe, justified, and fair to other Children. They must act openly and transparently to others to minimize the risk of misinterpretation of their behavior.
4. In communication with Children, Personnel must be patient and respectful, listen carefully, and provide answers appropriate to the Child’s age and situation.
5. It is forbidden to embarrass, humiliate, disregard, or insult the Child. Shouting at the Child is only allowed in situations related to the safety of the Child or other Children.
6. Sensitive information about the Child must not be disclosed to unauthorized persons, including other Children. This includes the Child’s image and information about their family, economic, medical, care, and legal situation.
7. When making decisions concerning the Child, Personnel must inform the Child and try to consider their expectations.
8. Personnel must respect the Child’s right to privacy. If confidentiality needs to be breached to protect the Child, Personnel should explain this as soon as possible.
9. Personnel must ensure to be within sight or hearing of other Personnel when conducting activities with Children. In exceptional cases, when a Personnel member must be alone with a Child, they must always notify other Personnel and, if possible and appropriate, the Child’s Guardian, including informing about the exact location of their stay with the Child.
10. Personnel must not behave inappropriately in the Child’s presence. This includes the use of vulgar words, gestures, jokes, offensive remarks, references to sexual activity or attractiveness, or exploitation of a power or physical dominance relationship over the Child (intimidation, coercion, threats).
11. Personnel must assure Children that if they feel uncomfortable about any situation, behavior, or words, they can tell the Personnel or the Director of the Rewita Branch and expect appropriate reaction and/or assistance.
12. It is forbidden to establish any romantic or sexual relationships with the Child or make inappropriate proposals. This also includes sexual comments, jokes, gestures, and providing Children with erotic and pornographic content in any form.
13. It is forbidden to record the Child’s image (filming, voice recording, photographing) for private purposes. This also applies to allowing third parties to record images of Children without the prior consent of the Child’s Guardian and the Child.
14. It is forbidden to offer Children alcohol, tobacco products, or illegal substances, as well as to use them in the presence of Children.
15. Any violent action against the Child is unacceptable. It is prohibited to hit, shove, push, or in any way violate the Child’s physical integrity or touch the Child in a manner that could be considered indecent or inappropriate.
16. Contact with Children should only take place during working hours and concern matters within Personnel’s duties. It is forbidden to invite Children to one’s home or meet with them outside working hours. This also includes contact through private communication channels (private phone, email, messengers, social media profiles).

§ 5. Rules for identifying a Child staying in the Rewita Branch and their relationship to the adult they are with

1. When admitting a Child to stay at the Rewita Branch, whenever possible, the identity of the Child and their relationship with the adult they are with should be verified.
2. Identification of the Child by reception Personnel is mandatory in unusual or suspicious situations indicating a risk of harm to the Child.
3. To identify the Child and their relationship to the person they are with in the Rewita Branch, one should:
   • ask for the Child’s identity and their relationship with the adult who came with or is staying with them in the Rewita Branch. Request may include the Child’s identity document or another document confirming the adult’s right to care for the Child at the Rewita Branch (e.g., civil status certificate, court decision). If no ID is available, ask for the Child’s details (first name, last name, address, PESEL number);
   • if documents indicating kinship between the Child and adult are missing, ask the adult and the Child about their relationship;
   • if the adult is not the Child’s Guardian, ask for a document confirming the Guardian’s consent to the adult’s joint stay with the Child (e.g., written permission signed by at least one parent or guardian. In case of disagreement between parents, inform them about the necessity to resolve the matter in family court);
   • if the adult does not have a Guardian’s consent document, request the phone number of the Guardians to call and confirm the Child’s stay with the adult in the Rewita Branch with their knowledge and consent.
4. If the adult refuses to show the Child’s document or explain their relationship, explain that the procedure serves to ensure the safety of Children using the Rewita Branch and that this obligation results from universally binding law.
5. If the conversation does not dispel doubts about the adult’s intentions and suspicions of harming the Child, discreetly notify the Director of the Rewita Branch or their designee and security personnel (if present on the premises). To avoid suspicion, you may, for example, refer to the need to use equipment in the back of the reception, asking the adult to wait with the Child in the lobby, restaurant, or another place.
6. From the moment initial doubts arise, both the Child and adult should be under constant observation by Personnel and must not be left alone.
7. The Director of the Rewita Branch or a designated person makes the decision to notify the police or, in case of doubts, continues the conversation with the suspected adult for further clarification.
8. If the conversation confirms suspicion of an attempt or commission of a crime against the Child, the supervisor notifies the police. Further principles apply as in cases indicating harm to a Child.
9. If Personnel from other organizational units (e.g., cleaning service, room service, bar and restaurant staff, security) witness unusual or suspicious situations, they should immediately notify the Director of the Rewita Branch or their designee, who will decide on appropriate actions.

§ 6. Rules and procedures for responding to justified suspicions that the welfare of a Child present in or using the services of the Rewita Branch is threatened; persons responsible for submitting reports of suspected crimes against a Child

1. Personnel have knowledge and, as part of their duties, pay attention to risk factors and symptoms of harm to Children.
2. Threats to Children’s safety may take various forms, using different means of contact and communication.
3. Personnel must immediately inform the Director of the Rewita Branch of any suspicion of harm to a Child.
4. Intervention is conducted by the Director of the Rewita Branch, who may permanently appoint another person to this task, unless Personnel actions are sufficient. If such a person is appointed, their details (name, surname, email, telephone) will be made known to Personnel, Children, and Guardians.
5. Justified suspicion of Child abuse exists when:
   • a Child has disclosed abuse to Personnel,
   • Personnel have observed abuse,
   • a Child has physical signs of abuse (e.g., scratches, bruises) and responds inconsistently or chaotically or becomes embarrassed, or other circumstances suggest abuse, e.g., finding pornographic materials involving Children in an adult’s room,
   • the Child’s Guardian or a third party reports the abuse.
6. If abuse by another Child staying in the Rewita Branch is suspected (e.g., during group activities), conversations should be held with the suspected Child (preferably with their Guardian) and the Guardian of the Child being abused, separately. Safety of the Child must be ensured by separating them from the suspected Child. Also talk to other persons knowledgeable about the event. Attempts should be made to establish the course of events. Depending on the nature of the event, Personnel either take explanatory and remedial actions themselves or immediately inform the Director of the Rewita Branch for intervention.
7. In case of suspicion that a Child experiences violence by another Child causing health harm, sexual exploitation, or life threat, or repeated physical or psychological violence, or other worrying behaviors, the intervening person must also report the possibility of a crime or notify the family court.
8. In case of suspicion of abuse by the Child’s Guardian or the adult they are with in the Rewita Branch involving:
   • violence causing health harm, sexual exploitation, and/or life threat, Personnel must ensure the Child’s safety, separate them from the suspected Guardian/adult, and notify the police at 112 or 997;
   • other crimes, the intervening person must notify police or prosecutor’s office by filing a notification of possible crime;
   • single incidents of other physical violence (e.g., slapping, pushing, shoving), psychological violence (e.g., humiliation, discrimination, mocking), or other worrying behaviors (e.g., shouting, inappropriate comments), Personnel must ensure the Child’s safety, conduct talks with the suspected Guardian/adult, and if repeated violence occurs, the intervening person must notify the appropriate social welfare center and additionally file a family court application for family situation review.
9. If a Personnel member suspects the Child is abused by third parties (including Personnel) involving:
   • violence causing health harm, sexual exploitation or life threat, Personnel must ensure the Child’s safety, separate them from the suspected abuser, and notify police at 112 or 997;
   • other types of crimes, Personnel must ensure the Child’s safety, separate them from the suspected abuser, and submit a written notification of possible crime to police or prosecutor;
   • single incidents of other physical violence (e.g., slaps, pushes, shoves) or psychological violence (e.g., humiliation, discrimination, mocking), Personnel must ensure the Child’s safety, separate them from the suspected abuser, and the intervening person must terminate cooperation with the person harming the Child;
   • other worrying behaviors (e.g., shouting, inappropriate comments), Personnel must ensure the Child’s safety, separate them from the suspected abuser, and the intervening person must carry out a disciplinary conversation and, if no improvement occurs, terminate cooperation.
10. In case of suspicion of Child abuse, prevent the Child and the suspect from leaving the Rewita Branch.
11. In justified cases, citizen’s arrest of the suspect may be made. Until police arrive, keep the person under supervision of two employees in a separate room away from other guests’ sight.
12. In every case, ensure the Child’s safety. The Child should remain under employee care until police arrive.
13. In case of justified suspicion of a crime involving the Child’s contact with biological material of the perpetrator (semen, saliva, skin), if possible, prevent the Child from washing or eating/drinking until police arrive.
14. After police take the Child, secure monitoring footage and other relevant evidence (e.g., documents) concerning the event and, upon request of authorities, hand over copies via registered mail or personally to prosecutor or police.
15. Personnel and the intervening person must prepare an official report of the event and actions taken. The report may be written or emailed.
16. After intervention, document the event in the register of events threatening the Child’s welfare. The register is maintained by the person appointed by the Director of the Rewita Branch. The register template is attached to the Standards.