SAAF and our host organisation IPPF believe that everyone has the right to live free from abuse of any kind. The well-being, health and safety of all our staff and partners is a top priority and this policy extends to SAAF grantee partners and the communities they work with. We are committed to ensuring that everyone that either works for or has contact with SAAF or our grantee partners is safe, protected and treated with dignity and respect at all times.

As part of our dedication to ensuring that safeguarding is recognised and any allegations of policy breach are dealt with, we are now included in IPPF SafeReport, a whistleblowing service run by an external provider, Expolink. This is an anonymous, free-to-call, confidential service.

This reporting service can be used to submit reports about any type of alleged incident or concern regarding the SAAF secretariat or any of our grantee partners, including:

• HR related matters such as bullying, harassment & victimisation.
• Incidences of abuse, sexual abuse and/or exploitation of beneficiaries or other stakeholders.
• Alleged fraud or financial malpractice.

Reports can be made 24 hours a day, seven days a week online or by telephone or email.

The service is available in multiple languages.

IPPF SafeReport is available for anyone who wants to raise a concern about IPPF or SAAF or our grantee partners, including staff, volunteers, those who use their services or take part in activities organised by SAAF or our grantee partners, as well as other stakeholders and the public.

Yes. We take confidential reporting seriously. We would rather receive an anonymous complaint or concern than not have it reported at all. However, it may be difficult for an anonymous report to be investigated. Expolink do not record or trace calls, and they do not record IP addresses of devices used to make online reports. Expolink’s first points of contact with IPPF will be trained Safeguarding and Human Resources advisers based in the Central Office in London, United Kingdom. They will ensure that reports submitted are only shared with others on a ‘need to know’ basis. This should provide a safe space where anyone can report without fear of retaliation*.

Depending on the nature of the report, the matter will then be passed to the SAAF Secretariat to investigate (unless a conflict of interest is identified; in which case, alternative approaches will be considered to ensure due process in keeping with the appropriate values, policies and procedures). More information about the service is available on the Safe Report website.