Prevention of Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Harassment (PSEAH) Policy

1. Purpose

Our Ocean School (OOS) is committed to fostering a safe, respectful and empowering environment for all children, youth, adults, staff, volunteers, visitors and community members participating in our programs. Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Harassment (SEAH) is strictly prohibited and will not be tolerated under any circumstances.

This policy outlines the standards of behaviour expected of all OOS personnel and partners, the systems in place to prevent SEAH, and the procedures for responding to concerns or allegations.

2. Scope

This policy applies to:

All OOS employees (full-time, part-time, casual).
All volunteers (international and local).
Board members and senior leadership.
Contractors, consultants and partner organisations.
Any individual engaged in activities under the OOS banner, including field programs, community outreach, school-based activities, and ocean-based learning sessions.

This policy applies at all times: on-site, online, during travel, and during community or partner-based programs.

3. Definitions

Sexual Exploitation:
Abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust for sexual purposes, including profiting socially, politically or financially from the sexual exploitation of another.

Sexual Abuse:
Actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, including all sexual activity with a child (under 18 years), regardless of consent or mistaken belief.

Sexual Harassment:
Unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favours, or verbal, non-verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature that is intimidating, hostile, offensive or humiliating.

Child / Minor:
Any person under the age of 18.

Survivor / Victim-Survivor:
A person who has experienced or been threatened with SEAH.

Perpetrator:
A person alleged to have committed any form of SEAH.

Transactional Sex:
Exchange of money, gifts, employment, services, privileges, or support for sexual activity.

4. Guiding Principles

OOS bases this policy on internationally recognised safeguarding principles:

Zero Tolerance
OOS will not tolerate any form of sexual exploitation, abuse, or harassment.
Survivor-Centred Approach
All responses prioritise safety, dignity, confidentiality and informed consent of survivors.
Do No Harm
All actions must minimise risk and prevent further harm to program participants and affected communities.
Equality, Respect & Inclusion
Safeguarding must reflect cultural sensitivity, gender equality, and inclusion of marginalised groups.
Accountability
All personnel have a responsibility to uphold safeguarding standards and report concerns.
Transparency & Confidentiality
Reports are handled discretely, fairly and without retaliation.

5. Responsibilities

Board of Directors

Approve and oversee implementation of the PSEAH Policy.
Ensure adequate resources for safeguarding systems.

Executive Leadership

Embed safeguarding into organisational culture and practice.
Ensure all staff and volunteers complete safeguarding training.

Safeguarding Focal Point (Designated Role)

Receive and manage reports or concerns.
Coordinate investigations and referral pathways.
Ensure survivor-centred support.

All Staff, Volunteers & Partners

Comply with this policy and the OOS Code of Conduct.
Report concerns immediately.
Participate in training and monitoring activities.

6. Prevention Measures

6.1 Safe Recruitment

All staff and volunteers undergo:
- Reference checks
- Identity verification
- Criminal background checks (including Working With Children clearance where applicable)
- Behaviour-based interview questions relating to child safety and safeguarding

6.2 Code of Conduct

All personnel must sign and adhere to the OOS Code of Conduct, which prohibits:

All forms of sexual activity with minors.
Relationships or sexual activity where a power imbalance exists (e.g., between staff and program beneficiaries).
Possession or creation of sexually exploitative material.
Behaviour that may put children or vulnerable persons at risk.

6.3 Training & Awareness

Mandatory induction training on safeguarding and PSEAH.
Annual refresher training for all personnel.
Community and participant-friendly materials explaining safeguarding rights and reporting pathways.

6.4 Program Design & Risk Management

All programs must include a SEAH risk assessment.
Activities involving minors (e.g., water safety, surf lessons, environmental education) must follow clear supervision standards.
Where risks are identified, mitigation strategies must be implemented before program delivery.

7. Acceptable & Unacceptable Behaviour

7.1 Acceptable

Treating students and community members with dignity and respect.
Maintaining appropriate physical and emotional boundaries.
Ensuring two-adult supervision where possible.
Reporting concerns immediately

7.2 Unacceptable (Strictly Prohibited)

Sexual activity with any program participant.
Sexual activity with any person under 18.
Requests for sexual favours (explicit or implied).
Sexualised jokes, comments, gestures or images.
Being alone with a minor in a private or secluded space.
Giving special treatment or gifts to individuals that could be misinterpreted.
Using one’s position to exploit or coerce others.
Viewing, producing, or distributing sexualised images of minors.
Retaliating against anyone who reports concerns.

8. Reporting SEAH

OOS encourages all individuals to report concerns or allegations—no matter how minor they may seem.

Reporting channels include:

Safeguarding Focal Point:

Name: Janiece Walker
Phone/WhatsApp: +61 468 943 246
Email: janiecewalker@hotmail.com

OOS Leadership Team

Anonymous mechanism (if established): online or physical dropbox

External authorities: Police or child protection services

Reports may be made:

Verbally
In writing
Anonymously

All reports will be handled confidentially and with respect for all persons involved.

9. Response & Investigation

Upon receiving a report:

Immediate safety assessment
- Ensure the survivor and any at-risk individuals are protected
Documentation
- Record the concern using the OOS Incident Reporting Form.
Investigation
- Led by the Safeguarding Focal Point or an independent party.
- Conducted fairly, confidentially and without conflict of interest.
Outcomes & Action
- Disciplinary action (up to termination).
- Suspension pending investigation.
- Reporting to authorities where required by law.
- Referral of survivors to appropriate support services.

10. Survivor Support

OOS is committed to a survivor-centred approach, which includes:

Psychological first aid
Access to counselling or medical services
Safety planning
Advocacy support
Respecting the survivor’s choices at every step
Maintaining confidentiality unless legal obligations under Australian or Indonesian law require sharing information

No costs for support services will ever fall on the survivor

11. Confidentiality & Non-Retaliation

All information related to SEAH reports will be kept confidential.
OOS strictly prohibits retaliation or victimisation of anyone who reports in good faith.
Breaches of confidentiality or retaliation will result in disciplinary action.

12. Working With Partners

OOS requires all partners, contractors, and collaborating organisations to:

Agree to comply with this PSEAH Policy,or
Demonstrate that they have equivalent safeguarding standards in place.

Non-compliant partners will not be engaged.

13. Monitoring, Review & Accountability

This policy will be reviewed every two years, or earlier if required due to changes in legislation, risk profile or incident learnings.
Safeguarding practices will be monitored through:
- Staff/volunteer checklists
- Program risk reviews
- Community feedback
- Training records
Annual safeguarding progress will be reported to the OOS Board.