At Good Shepherd Thailand, the safety, dignity, and well-being of every person entrusted to our care are at the heart of all we do.
We are dedicated to creating environments where children, women, families, and vulnerable individuals can live, learn, and grow free from abuse, neglect, exploitation, or discrimination.
This Safeguarding Policy defines our shared responsibility to prevent harm and uphold the highest standards of care across all our programs, schools, shelters, and community centers in Thailand.
Our commitment is guided by Thai safeguarding and child-protection laws, Catholic social teaching, and international protection standards, including the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) and the UN Declaration on the Elimination of Violence against Women.
This policy ensures that all staff, sisters, volunteers, and partners of Good Shepherd Thailand act with respect, compassion, and accountability in every interaction, fostering environments of trust and safety for all.
Purpose of the Policy
The purpose of this policy is to:
- Establish clear and consistent standards of safety and protection for everyone who engages with our programs.
- Ensure that all staff and volunteers understand their roles and responsibilities in preventing harm and responding to concerns.
- Provide structured procedures for reporting, investigation, and support in safeguarding matters.
- Promote a culture of trust, transparency, and inclusion, where children, women, and vulnerable persons are protected and empowered to speak up.
Our Commitment
Good Shepherd Thailand is committed to:
- Zero tolerance for all forms of abuse, exploitation, discrimination, or neglect.
- Active prevention through ethical recruitment, background checks, orientation, and continuous staff training.
- Safe programs and environments that uphold dignity and equality for all participants.
- Confidential and survivor-centered reporting systems, ensuring that every concern is addressed promptly and compassionately.
- Strong partnerships with government, church, and community organizations that share our safeguarding principles.
Who the Policy Applies To
This policy applies to:
- All Good Shepherd sisters, employees, educators, and volunteers across Thailand.
- All partners, donors, visitors, and contractors engaged in activities or projects associated with Good Shepherd Thailand.
- All programs, schools, shelters, outreach centers, and livelihood projects managed or supported by Good Shepherd Thailand.
Reporting and Response
Any concern regarding the safety or dignity of a person within our programs must be reported immediately to the Designated Safeguarding Officer (DSO) at the respective center.
Reports will be managed with confidentiality, fairness, and compassion, ensuring that the well-being of the affected person is prioritized at every stage.
Good Shepherd Thailand cooperates fully with national protection agencies and relevant authorities, following both legal and organizational procedures to ensure a just and effective response.
Training and Awareness
All sisters, staff, and volunteers receive mandatory safeguarding training and sign a Code of Conduct prior to engaging in any activity.
Refresher sessions, awareness workshops, and supervision ensure continuous learning and consistent implementation of safeguarding standards across all centers.
Partnership and Review
Good Shepherd Thailand works in close collaboration with government agencies, diocesan networks, NGOs, schools, and community partners to strengthen national protection systems and promote a culture of care.
This policy is reviewed annually and updated to align with emerging best practices, legislation, and community needs.
Download the Full Policy (PDF)
📄 Download Safeguarding Policy ENG (PDF)
📄 Download Safeguarding Policy TH (PDF)
Last updated: 2025