Protection of Children's Rights:

1. Every child has the right to protection from all forms of violence, abuse, discrimination, and exploitation.

2. We ensure a safe environment for children in our programs and activities, and we implement safeguarding measures against potential threats to their safety.

3. We respect children's rights to privacy and handle their data appropriately, using relevant data protection regulations.

4. Every volunteer or employee who will work with children must provide a valid certificate of no criminal record.

Protection of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities:

1. We ensure accessibility of our facilities, programs, and activities for persons with disabilities and work to remove barriers that may hinder their participation.

2. We respect the individual needs and rights of persons with disabilities and provide legal, physical, and emotional support to enable their full participation in the community.

3. We promote awareness of the rights and needs of persons with disabilities and support their initiatives to realize their rights.

Education and Empowerment:

1. Educating our members, volunteers, collaborators, and the community about the rights of children and persons with disabilities is key to promoting their protection and well-being.

2. We empower the rights of children and persons with disabilities through information, counselling, and support to ensure their active participation in decision-making on matters that concern them.

3. Collaboration with relevant organizations, institutions, and government bodies is essential to promote and protect the rights of children and persons with disabilities at the local and national levels.

Reporting Misconduct to the Relevant Authorities:

In the case of any suspicions of abuse, neglect, or other forms of misconduct towards children, especially children with autism and developmental difficulties, the Association for the Care of Autistic Persons Rijeka will take the following steps:

Immediate Response:

Any suspicion of abuse or misconduct towards a child will be immediately reported to the appropriate individuals within the association.

Compliance with Regulations:

We will follow all applicable laws and regulations related to reporting and investigating child abuse, including mandatory reporting to the relevant authorities.

Reporting to Authorities:

Any suspicion of abuse or misconduct towards a child will be promptly reported to the appropriate institutions, such as the Center for Social Welfare, the police, or other relevant agencies.

Cooperation with Institutions:

We will provide full cooperation and support to investigative bodies during the process of investigating abuse or misconduct against a child.

Child Protection:

Our highest priority is the welfare of the child. Following a report, we will take all necessary steps to ensure the child receives appropriate support, protection, and care.

Transparency and Accountability:

We will ensure transparency in the reporting process and regularly inform members and the public about the measures taken.

This policy on protecting the rights of children and persons with disabilities came into effect on 01.01.2024.

We reserve the right to revise and update this policy with legislative changes and best practices.