Standards for the Protection of Minors

Preamble

Taking into account the content of the United Nations guidelines on business and human rights, recognizing the important role of business in ensuring respect for children's rights, particularly the right to protect their dignity and freedom from all forms of harm, the European Boutique Hotel adopts this document as a model of principles and procedures in case of suspicion that a child staying at the hotel is being harmed and to prevent such threats.

The child protection policy at our hotel will be implemented through these principles.

1. The European Boutique Hotel conducts its operational activities with the utmost respect for human rights, especially the rights of children as persons particularly vulnerable to harm.
2. The European Boutique Hotel acknowledges its role in conducting socially responsible business and promoting desirable social attitudes.
3. The European Boutique Hotel particularly emphasizes the importance of the legal and social obligation to notify law enforcement authorities of any suspected crime against children and commits to training its staff in this regard.
4. The European Boutique Hotel is committed to educating staff about circumstances indicating that a child staying at the hotel may be harmed and on how to respond quickly and appropriately to such situations.
5. One form of effective prevention of child harm is the identification of the child staying at the hotel and his/her relationship to the adult with whom they are staying. Staff take all possible steps to identify the child and their relationship with the adult in the hotel.

Procedure in case of suspicion of child abuse

1. Whenever possible, the identification of the child and his/her relationship with the adult staying at the hotel should be made.
2. In unusual and/or suspicious situations indicating a possible risk of child abuse, identification is mandatory and carried out by the reception staff.
3. To identify the child and his/her relationship to the adult staying at the hotel, it is necessary to: a. Ask for the child’s identity and the relationship between the child and the adult who arrived or is staying at the hotel with them. For this purpose, the child's identity document or another document confirming that the adult has the right to care for the child at the hotel may be requested. In the absence of an identity document, the child’s data (first name, last name, address, PESEL number) may be requested. b. If no documents proving the relationship between the child and the adult are presented, ask the adult and the child about this relationship. c. If the adult is not the parent or legal guardian of the child, ask if they have a document proving the parents’ consent for the adult to travel with the child (e.g., written statement). d. If the adult does not have parental consent, ask for the parents' phone number to call and confirm that the child is staying at the facility with a third party adult with the knowledge and consent of the parents/legal guardians.
4. If the adult resists showing the child’s document and/or indicating the relationship, explain that the procedure is to ensure the safety of children using the European Boutique Hotel and has been developed in cooperation with non-governmental organizations working on this matter.
5. After a positive clarification of the matter, thank for the time spent ensuring that the child is in good care and emphasize again that the procedure aims to ensure children’s safety.
6. If the conversation does not dispel doubts regarding suspicion toward the adult and their intentions to harm the child, discreetly notify the supervisor and staff. To avoid arousing suspicion, you may, for example, cite the need to use equipment at the back of the reception and ask the adult to wait with the child in the lobby, restaurant, or another place.
7. From the moment the first doubts appear, both the child and the adult should be under constant observation by staff and should not be left alone.
8. The supervisor who has been notified of the situation decides whether to notify the police or, in case of doubts, takes over the conversation with the suspected adult to obtain further explanations.
9. If the conversation confirms the belief that an attempt or a crime against the child has been committed, the supervisor notifies the police. The procedure in case of circumstances indicating child abuse is then applied.
10. If employees from other hotel departments witness unusual and/or suspicious situations, e.g., cleaning service, room service, bar and restaurant staff, relaxation area, security, etc., they should immediately inform the supervisor, who will decide on appropriate action.
11. Depending on the situation and place, the supervisor verifies how justified the suspicion of child abuse is. To this end, they select appropriate measures to clarify the situation or decide to intervene and notify the police.

Procedure in case of circumstances indicating child abuse

1. Having reasonable suspicion that a child staying at the hotel is being harmed, immediately notify the police by calling 112 and describing the circumstances. Depending on the dynamics and circumstances of the situation, the call is made by the person who is a direct witness (employee/supervisor). If an employee makes the report, they simultaneously inform their supervisor.
2. There is reasonable suspicion of child abuse when: a. the child has disclosed to the hotel employee the fact of abuse, b. the employee has observed abuse, c. the child has signs of abuse (e.g., scratches, bruising), and when asked responds inconsistently and/or chaotically and/or becomes embarrassed or other circumstances may indicate abuse, e.g., finding pornographic materials involving children in the adult's room.
3. In this situation, prevent the child and the person suspected of abuse from leaving the hotel.
4. In justified cases, a citizen's arrest of the suspected person may be made. In such a case, until the police arrive, the person should be supervised by two employees in a separate room away from the view of other guests.
5. In every case, the child’s safety should be ensured. The child should remain under the care of an employee until the police arrive.
6. In case of justified suspicion of a crime involving contact of the child with the perpetrator’s biological material (semen, saliva, skin), if possible, the child should not wash or eat/drink until the police arrive.
7. After the child is taken by the police, secure surveillance footage and other important evidence (e.g., documents) concerning the incident and, at the request of the authorities, provide copies by registered mail or in person to the prosecutor or police.
8. After the intervention, the incident should be recorded in the event log or another document designated for this purpose.

Employment of persons working with children

1. All persons working with children must be safe for them, which means, among other things, that their employment history should indicate that they have not harmed any children in the past.
2. Every person employed by the European Boutique Hotel to work in education, recreation, and childcare must be checked in the Register of Sex Offenders. This check is done by printing the search results from the restricted access Register and then placing it in the employee's personal file. The check must be repeated annually.
3. All employees working with children, including those who may have potential contact with children, should submit a statement of no criminal record and no ongoing proceedings for offenses against children.

For the purposes of this document, the meanings of the following terms are clarified:

1. A child is any person under 18 years of age.
2. A third-party adult is any person over 18 years of age who is not the child's parent or legal guardian.
3. Child abuse means the commission of a crime against the child.
4. A crime against a child – all crimes that can be committed against adults can also be committed against children, as well as additional crimes exclusive to children (e.g., sexual exploitation under Article 200 of the Penal Code). Due to the specific nature of tourist facilities where seclusion can easily be obtained, the most frequent crimes in these premises are crimes against sexual freedom and morality, especially rape (Article 197 Penal Code), sexual abuse of incapacity and helplessness (Article 198 Penal Code), sexual abuse of dependence or critical situation (Article 199 Penal Code), sexual abuse of a person under 15 years old (Article 200 Penal Code), grooming (seducing a minor via remote communication means - Article 200a Penal Code).
5. An employee employed to work with children, who must be checked in the Register of Sex Offenders, is any person accepted to carry out such duties, including those employed under civil law contracts, interns, trainees, and volunteers, regardless of nationality and age.