1. Scope
This policy applies to all board members, staff, volunteers, instructors, partners and visitors participating in any activity of Udruženje žena „Ustikolina“, on or off our premises, including markets, seminars, home visits and online communication.
2. Non-discrimination
Membership, services, training places, assistance and volunteer roles are open on equal terms regardless of sex, gender identity, age, ethnicity, national origin, religion or belief, language, disability, health status, marital or family status, sexual orientation, education, employment status or property. We take no political party or religious position. Discriminatory language or conduct is treated as a disciplinary matter.
3. Safeguarding commitments
- No participant is ever asked to disclose personal hardship as a condition of receiving help.
- All conversations in counselling and assistance contexts are confidential, with the single exception of a legal duty to report where a child is at risk of harm.
- Personal stories, photographs and names are used publicly only with specific written consent, and never where publication could expose a woman to danger.
- Every person acting for the association signs a code of conduct and confidentiality undertaking before starting.
- Roles involving contact with minors or vulnerable adults require references, an introductory interview, a probation period and supervision by a programme coordinator.
- Adults are never alone with a minor without a second adult present or line of sight.
4. Gender-based violence
We are not a shelter and we do not conduct investigations. What we do is recognise, listen, and connect a woman with services that can act: the police, the centre for social work, free legal aid, health services and the national helpline for women survivors of violence. Support is offered at the pace the woman chooses; we never contact anyone on her behalf without her explicit agreement, unless a child is at immediate risk.
- Staff and regular volunteers receive annual training in recognising signs of violence and in responding without pressure or judgement.
- Our premises maintain a private room where a woman can speak or make a call without being overheard.
- We do not record identifying details of a disclosure unless the woman asks us to.
5. Prohibited conduct
- Any form of physical, sexual, psychological or economic violence, harassment or exploitation.
- Sexual or romantic advances by anyone in a position of trust toward a programme participant.
- Requesting or accepting money, gifts, favours or labour in exchange for assistance, a training place or material aid.
- Sharing a participant’s circumstances outside the association, including with family members, without consent.
- Photographing participants or their work without asking first.
- Retaliation of any kind against a person who raises a concern in good faith.
6. Reporting a concern
Concerns may be raised verbally or in writing with the Executive Director, with any programme coordinator, or directly with the President of the Association. Where the concern involves the Executive Director, it should be addressed to the Supervisory Board. Written reports may be sent to guerrero-jcp@gmx.com marked „Zaštita – povjerljivo“ or delivered in a sealed envelope to Kralja Tvrtka 36, Tešanj 74260, Bosnia & Herzegovina. Urgent matters: +387 61 063 848.
Anonymous reports are accepted and assessed, although our ability to investigate them may be limited.
7. How we respond
- Acknowledgement within two working days, and immediate action where anyone is at risk.
- Assessment by the Executive Director, or the Supervisory Board where there is a conflict of interest, with a written record of steps taken.
- Suspension from duties of any person against whom a serious allegation is being examined, as a neutral protective measure.
- Referral to the competent authorities where the conduct may constitute a criminal offence.
- Written outcome communicated to the person who raised the concern, so far as confidentiality permits.
- Right of appeal to the Management Board, and ultimately to the Assembly of members.
8. Review
The Management Board reviews this policy annually and after any serious incident. Every member, volunteer and partner receives a copy on joining, and the policy is available on request at the registered office in both Bosnian and English.