Download Form to Report Child Abuse / Neglect
It is obligatory for all volunteers to report incidents of physical or psychological violence, aggression, harassment, and physical or sexual abuse immediately or within the next day to Designated Safeguarding Lead. If the Designated Safeguarding Lead is not available, then the FCC Child Protection Team has to be contacted.
Children are encouraged to report incidents for which they themselves or others may be the victims. Reporting by a child may be verbal or in writing and shared with any volunteer, who, in turn, shall communicate this information to the Designated Safeguarding Lead in verbal and written format. The Designated Safeguarding Lead will inform the FCC Child Protection Team. The Designated Safeguarding Lead shall gather information and provide further written information including the date, person or persons involved, and any additional relevant information.
The Designated Safeguarding Lead will then gather information and provide further written information including the date, person or persons involved, and any additional relevant information. This report has to be submitted to the FCC Child Protection Team.
If there is reasonable cause to believe child abuse has occurred as defined in the FCC Safeguarding Policy for Minors and Vulnerable Adults, the Designated Safeguarding Lead will report to the FCC Child Protection Team who shall follow the steps noted in these guidelines, documenting all aspects of the investigation and resulting actions.
Such actions include, but are not limited to, one or more of the following:
• Conference with child/ children involved
• Parent notification
• Meeting with parents
• Meeting with others pertinent to the case, including the alleged perpetrator(s)
• Contacting FCCs Medical Nurse
• PsychologicaI assessment
• Mandatory counseling sessions
• Referral to the Child Protection Team
• Reporting to child protection services
• Legal action and prosecution by the authorities
• Suspension or termination of the volunteer
Designated Safeguarding Lead – Cajetan Fernandes (fccpastoral@gmail.com) Mobile: 090-7533-1879
Lead FCCs Medical Nurse – Noriko Uno (camillatherese72@gmail.com) Mobile: 090-9567-4050
Child Protection Officer – Mieko Takahata (managerfcc@gmail.com) Mobile: 080-3694-2895
Assistant Child Protection Officer – (Position under review and to be filled soon)
Should any of the above members of the FCC Child Protection Team be the subject of the allegation/ or there is a conflict of interest, then the FCC Child Protection Team would reconfigure to allow for a substitute to take the place of the person involved in the allegation investigation/ with a conflict of interest.
Should any priest be the subject of the allegation then the FCC Child Protection Team will report it to the office of the Archbishop of Tokyo Diocese. The Archbishop will take immediate steps to investigate and to deal with the situation
Should the issue be unresolved by the FCC Child Protection Team, the matter needs to be taken up by the External Multidisciplinary Team with the aim of bringing a final resolution.
Members of External Multidisciplinary Team consists of:
Legal Representative Medical Representative
Psychiatric Representative
Child Protection Services Representative
(More information on this can be provided upon request made to Designated Safeguarding Lead – Cajetan Fernandes (fccpastoral@gmail.com) Mobile: 090-7533-1879)
GUIDELINES FOR RESPONDING TO A CHILD’S DISCLOSURE
If a child asks to speak with you, try to find a neutral setting where it is quiet with few interruptions.
Let the child know they are safe talking with you, and that you may have to tell someone else if they are in an unsafe situation. Reassure the child that you will not tell anyone who isn’t directly involved in helping them be safe.
Do not let a child swear you to secrecy before telling you something. You may need to report, which the child will view as breaking your trust with them.
Listen calmly and non-judgmentally, letting her explain in her own words. Practice reflective listening (repeating back what you heard) so that the child can correct you if you misheard something. Don’t pressure for a great amount of detail. Do not lead the child in telling.
Respond calmly and matter-of-factly. Even if the story that the child tells you is difficult to hear, it is important not to register disgust or alarm. Try not to overreact emotionally.
Refrain from making judgmental or disparaging comments about the abuser – it is often someone the child loves or with whom he/she is close.
Refrain from making promises to the child that things will get better.
Refrain from confronting the abuser.
If the child does not want to go home, this should be considered an emergency. Report and handle immediately by contacting your school-based Support Team. Do not take the child home with you!
Explain to the child that you must tell a Counselor to get help. Remind her she is not in trouble, not to blame, and that she did the right thing by telling you.
Respect the child’s confidentiality. Share with the FCC Child Protection Team, but do not discuss openly in public places at school in front of child/ staff/ parents.
As soon as the child leaves, document the disclosure by completing the safeguarding reporting form. The form should be printed out and completed in pen. The form should be submitted to the Child Protection Officer within 24 hours.
