Safeguarding & Protection Policy

THRIVE is committed to upholding the highest standards of safeguarding, ethical integrity, and protection for all community members, research participants, and staff.

Institutional Policy

Zero Tolerance for Exploitation & Harm

Confidential Reporting Mechanism

If you have a safeguarding concern, report of misconduct, or grievance related to THRIVE operations or research activities, contact our confidential desk directly at safeguarding@thrive-cameroon.org.

1. Our Safeguarding Commitment

THRIVE operates in diverse community settings in Cameroon, frequently engaging with women, children, persons with disabilities, and vulnerable rural populations. We maintain an uncompromising zero-tolerance stance toward sexual exploitation, abuse, harassment, discrimination, or financial coercion by any staff member, contractor, researcher, or volunteer.

2. Core Safeguarding Principles

Do No Harm

Every programmatic activity, clinical pilot, and field survey is planned with prior risk assessment to ensure no physical, psychological, or social harm to participants.

Informed Voluntary Consent

All research and community engagement activities adhere to clear, culturally appropriate, and language-accessible informed consent procedures without coercion.

Child & Vulnerable Adult Protection

Strict codes of conduct govern interactions with minors and vulnerable patients in health facilities and community mapping areas.

Whistleblower Protection

All reports are investigated confidentially and impartially with guaranteed protection against retaliation for good-faith whistleblowers.

3. Investigation and Accountability

All safeguarding reports are reviewed directly by the Ethics and Governance Committee. Substantiated violations result in immediate disciplinary action, contractual termination, and referral to competent Cameroonian legal authorities where applicable.