Safeguarding & Child Protection

Last updated: June 2026

Many RiseAfrica learners are under 18. We are committed to protecting every child and young person who takes part in our courses, challenges, chapters, clubs, and events, online and in person. Everyone who works or volunteers with RiseAfrica shares responsibility for safeguarding.

Our commitments

• The welfare of the child is always the first priority.
• Every child, whatever their age, ability, gender, background, or beliefs, has the right to protection from harm.
• We listen to young people, take all concerns seriously, and respond without delay.
• We work openly with guardians, schools, and, where needed, local authorities.

Safe recruitment of mentors & volunteers

Mentors, instructors, and volunteers who work with young people are screened before they are given a role. Depending on the country and role, this may include identity checks, references, background checks where available, and an induction on this policy and our Code of Conduct. Adults must not contact young people privately outside official, monitored RiseAfrica channels.

Online safety

• Communication between mentors and young people happens through official, monitored RiseAfrica channels, not private personal accounts.
• We require parental or guardian consent for users under 18 at sign-up.
• We design our platform to minimise the personal data we collect from minors (see our Privacy Policy).
• We act quickly to remove harmful content and to address grooming, bullying, or exploitation.

Recognising and reporting a concern

If you are worried that a child is being harmed, is at risk, or has disclosed something to you, act. Report it straight away to our safeguarding contact at joinriseafrica@gmail.com with “Safeguarding” in the subject line, or use our contact page. If a child is in immediate danger, contact your local emergency services first, then tell us.

When a young person tells you something, listen calmly, take them seriously, do not promise secrecy, and pass the concern on. Do not investigate it yourself.

How we respond

Our designated safeguarding lead reviews every concern confidentially and decides on next steps, which may include supporting the young person, restricting or removing an individual from our programs, and referring the matter to guardians or the appropriate authorities. We keep records securely and only share them on a need-to-know basis.

Designated safeguarding contact

Email joinriseafrica@gmail.com (subject: “Safeguarding”). We aim to acknowledge safeguarding reports promptly.

This policy is provided in good faith and should be reviewed and signed off by a qualified safeguarding professional and legal counsel, and adapted to the laws of each country where RiseAfrica operates.