Safeguarding Policy
Purpose and Scope
This policy sets out how Meeting Point (Tochka Vstrechi) protects the safety, dignity, and wellbeing of everyone who takes part in our activities: attendees, speakers, volunteers, and team members.
Meeting Point's activities are aimed at adults. We do not knowingly organise activities for children or young people under 18. If this changes in future, this policy will be updated to reflect the additional protections required for work involving minors.
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While our audience consists of adults, we recognise that many of the people we work with may have experienced or been affected by war, displacement, loss, or human rights violations, and may carry related trauma. We take this into account in how we plan events and content, and in how seriously we treat any concern raised with us.
Our Commitment
Everyone in contact with Meeting Point's activities has the right to be protected from harm, abuse, discrimination, neglect, and exploitation, regardless of their age, gender identity, disability, nationality, ethnicity, religion, or any other personal characteristic. We are committed to preventing harm where possible, responding seriously and promptly when concerns are raised, and treating everyone involved with dignity and confidentiality.
Types of Harm We Take Seriously
This includes, but is not limited to: physical harm; sexual or gender-based harm in any form; emotional or psychological harm; neglect; economic harm; breaches of personal data or information security; discrimination and racism; and any behaviour that undermines the safety or dignity of a participant, especially where it intersects with trauma related to conflict, displacement, or loss.
Prevention
Given our size and volunteer structure, we take proportionate steps to reduce risk: speakers and partner organisations are selected based on our team's direct knowledge of them or their public track record; team members are briefed on safeguarding principles and this policy; event facilitation is designed with awareness that discussions of conflict, violence, and loss may be distressing for some participants, including, where relevant, flagging sensitive content in advance. We also ask attendees, where possible, to come in civilian clothing and without weapons, in order to help create a physically and psychologically safer space for all participants.
Safeguarding Contacts
Co-Founders Masha Bunina (mwbunina@gmail.com) and Zhenya Danilova (nonunique.name@gmail.com) are Meeting Point's designated safeguarding contacts. Anyone with a concern, whether they experienced something themselves or witnessed concerning behaviour by a team member, volunteer, or speaker, can raise it directly with either of them.
How to Raise a Concern
Concerns can be raised directly, in person or in writing (e.g. by message or email), with either safeguarding contact. We do not currently operate a dedicated reporting email or form, given our size, but this will be reviewed if our activities grow.
How We Respond
On receiving a concern, the safeguarding contacts will acknowledge it within a reasonable timeframe (we aim for 72 hours) and agree next steps with the person raising it. Depending on the nature of the concern, this may include an internal review, referral to a relevant external organisation or authority, or ongoing monitoring. We aim to give the person raising the concern a response within 30 days. Throughout, we prioritise the safety, dignity, and wishes of the person affected.
Confidentiality
Information about a concern or complaint will be kept confidential and shared only with those who need to know in order to respond appropriately, normally limited to safeguarding contacts and, where necessary, relevant Meeting Point team leadership. We will not disclose a person's identity or the details of their concern without their consent, except where required by law or where there is a serious risk to someone's safety.
Reporting to Funders
Where a serious safeguarding incident occurs in connection with funded activities, we will inform funders promptly, alongside any relevant local authorities, in line with their safeguarding policies.
Review
This policy will be reviewed annually, or sooner if needed, by the safeguarding contacts together with Meeting Point's team.