One of the core principles at the base of Dominican education is the principle of well-being, based on the fundamental right for children to develop in an environment where they feel safe, protected and accepted. The school must ensure that their students are provided with a warm, safe and welcoming environment in which children can grow and learn, in school and away.
The Domínico-Americano School (DAS) Child Protection Policy is informed by the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, Dominican Law 136-03 (Code for the Protection System and the Fundamental Rights of Children and Adolescents), and the Dominican Ministry of Education’s Protocol for the Promotion of a Culture of Peace and Wellbeing in Educational Centers.
This policy aims to educate the DAS community on different aspects of child abuse, neglect and bullying, in order to be able to quickly identify any incidence in our school. It also provides a framework for reporting and intervening in any suspected case of abuse, neglect or bullying. As such, DAS commits to this policy and provides pertinent training to students, parents and staff.
Definition of Child Abuse
Recruitment Policy
External Organizations
Confidentiality
Child Protection Policy
Leadership Responsibilities
Professional Development
Integrated Child Protection Measures
Policies Practices & Training
Formal Procedures
Curriculum
Building & Facility Safety
Annual Review & Revision Plan
Code of Conduct
Compliance with Legal and Ethical Requirements
Resources/Links
Definition of Child Abuse
According to the World Organization, child abuse contributes “all forms of physical and\or emotional ill treatment, sexual abuse, neglect or negligent treatment or commercial or other exploitation, resulting in actual or potential harm to the child’s health, survival, development or dignity in the context of a relationship of responsibility, trust or power.”
Recruitment Polic
Good Conduct Letter from local Police Department required for all employees.
External Organizations
The Domínico-Americano School (DAS) Child Protection Policy was elaborated by a template provided by the ICMEC (International Centre of Missing and Exploited Children) and the following resources:
If a report to the authorities is deemed necessary, the following local external organization may be involved:
Confidentiality
Confidentiality is an essential part of reporting procedures to local and/or international organizations.
Child Protection Policy
Refer to DAS Child Protection Manual
Leadership Responsibilities
Refer to DAS Child Protection Manual Disclosure Chart
Professional Development
All members of the community receive yearly professional development training.
Integrated Child Protection Measures
Child Protection measures are integrated within all school procedures and systems. Refer to:
Policies Practices Training
All members of the community receive annual training, including:
Formal Procedures
Visiting adult must present ID and use visitors pass when entering school grounds.
Building Facility Safety
Refer to DAS Child Protection Manual and Emergency Handbook
Annual Review Revision Plan
All members of the community receive yearly Professional Development training; policies are reviewed and revised yearly by leadership team.
Code of Conduct
Refer to DAS Child Protection Manual
Compliance with Legal and Ethical Requirements
The Domínico-Americano School and the Board of Directors, in line with the mission and vision of our school, has adopted a child protection policy to guide our staff and families in matters related to the health, safety and care of children attending our school. Domínico-Americano School fully recognizes its responsibilities for child protection. Our policy is based on Dominican Republic Law (13-03) and the United Convention on the rights of the child on which Dominican Republic is signatory.
Resources/Links
UNICEF’s Convention on the Rights of a Child
MINERD – Protocolo para la promoción de la cultura de paz y buen trato en los centros educativos
Ley General de Educación de la República Dominicana
Consejo Nacional Para la Niñez y la Adolescencia
School Child Protection & Wellbeing Programme with AISA
Save the Children’s Child Protection Video – English/Spanish/French
To report child sexual exploitation in any country, please make a report online to NCMEC’s CyberTipline at:
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