Child & Youth Safeguarding Policy

1. Purpose and scope

EPOCHA respects the purposes of Korea’s Child Welfare Act, Act on Special Cases Concerning the Punishment of Child Abuse Crimes, and Act on the Protection of Children and Youth Against Sexual Abuse. This Policy applies to participants under 19 and to EPOCHA staff, instructors, coaches, mentors, volunteers, contractors and partners.

2. Our principles

• Put the child or young person’s safety and best interests first
• Do not discriminate based on sex, nationality, race, disability, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, family or economic background
• Listen to and respect young people in a way appropriate to age and maturity
• Raise concerns promptly and in good faith, protecting reporters and affected participants from retaliation

3. Prohibited conduct

• Physical, emotional or sexual abuse, neglect, bullying, discrimination, exploitation or retaliation
• Sexual jokes, messages or contact, requests for private meetings, inappropriate gifts or demands for secrecy
• Humiliating punishment, threats, coercion, isolation or use of a participant’s vulnerability
• Contact through undisclosed personal accounts, private accommodation or transport, or unnecessary one-to-one activity in closed spaces
• Recording, storing or sharing images, video or personal information without permission

4. Standards for adults

Adults must maintain professional boundaries, use observable spaces and approved channels where possible, and limit physical contact to the minimum needed for safety, emergency assistance or a legitimate learning activity. Concerning conduct or uncertain boundaries must be reported promptly to the safeguarding contact.

5. One-to-one and online contact

• Give advance notice of the purpose, time and place and use an open or observable setting where possible
• Use EPOCHA-approved accounts and channels only for programme purposes
• Include a guardian or designated staff member where appropriate and retain messages only as needed
• Do not use late-night contact, disappearing messages, relationship-seeking conversation or demands for secrecy

6. Images and personal information

Images are recorded and published only within the stated purpose, media and period and with any required participant and guardian consent. Refusal must not create unfair disadvantage. We minimise identifying details such as school and location and do not record or publish sensitive or humiliating situations.

7. Raising and reporting a concern

Participants, guardians and others may report a concern to hello@epocha.world, including anonymously. Where possible, state the time, place, people involved and facts observed.

Call 112 immediately for urgent danger or suspected crime. Where EPOCHA or an individual is a statutory reporter, suspected child abuse or a sexual offence against a child or young person is reported promptly as required by law. Internal review never replaces or delays a statutory report.

8. How we respond

• Address immediate safety and medical needs first
• Listen without leading or repeatedly interviewing the child and record facts and actions objectively
• Share information only with those who need it and relevant authorities
• Reasonably restrict contact between the reported person and a potentially affected child
• Explain next steps and available support where possible

9. Recruitment, training and partners

To the extent required or permitted for a role, EPOCHA conducts identity, experience, eligibility and criminal-history checks and trains personnel who interact with young people on conduct and reporting. Partners and visiting instructors must meet equivalent standards, and their activity may be suspended for a breach.

10. Confidentiality and no retaliation

Safeguarding information is shared only as needed for safety, legal reporting and a fair response. We cannot promise absolute confidentiality, but no person will be retaliated against for raising a genuine concern or cooperating with a review.

11. Contact and review

Policy leads: Ofranc Maeva Aurelie and Juwon Bak (EPOCHA Founders) Business operator: EPOCHA Business registration number: 708-53-00997 Email: hello@epocha.world Emergency: Korean police 112 Address: R214, 10 Yeonmujang 11-gil, Seongdong-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea

We review this Policy at least annually and when law, services or incident procedures change. Concerns about a response or policy breach may be raised through the email above.