Do no harm
No content or fundraising activity should increase risk, stigma, embarrassment, exploitation, or loss of privacy.
Child safeguarding
Protect children from exploitation, trafficking, abuse, and harmful exposure.
Child safety, dignity, privacy, and informed consent are central to ACOH's work.
Safeguarding principles
Protect dignity, privacy, safety, and informed consent.
Consent and lawful use
Identifiable photographs, videos, and stories require appropriate permission and safeguarding review.
Dignified storytelling
Children should not be reduced to trauma, pity, or identifying details that could harm them.
Controlled information
Sensitive beneficiary information should not be published or placed in public website content.
Safe reporting
Concerns should be handled through a clear and confidential reporting and response process.
Shared responsibility
Staff, volunteers, partners, and vendors share responsibility for child safety.
Our commitment
Safety comes before publicity, fundraising, or storytelling.
ACOH is committed to child-centered decisions, respectful representation, responsible partnerships, and prompt action when concerns are raised.
Safeguarding standards
Child safety, reporting, and accountability
Child Safeguarding Policy
ACOH maintains and applies a Child Safeguarding Policy.
Staff and volunteer conduct
Staff and volunteers are expected to follow ACOH's Code of Conduct and safeguarding requirements.
Background checks
Background checks are required for staff and volunteers whose responsibilities involve children or sensitive program activities.
Consent and image protection
Identifiable photographs, videos, and stories require appropriate permission, a case-by-case safeguarding review, and organizational approval by Meselu Kebede, Founder and Executive Director. ACOH does not publish sensitive personal, medical, location, or case information.
Confidential and anonymous reporting
Concerns may be raised by email or telephone, with or without the reporter's name.
Response and accountability
Every concern is reviewed with the child's safety, dignity, privacy, and wellbeing as the first priority.
Report a safeguarding concern
Contact ACOH promptly.
If you are concerned about the safety, dignity, privacy, or treatment of a child connected with ACOH's work, contact us promptly.
Email: acohope77@gmail.com
Telephone: (614) 668-5874
You may report without providing your name. Reports are handled as privately as possible, and information is shared only when necessary to protect a child, review the concern, or meet legal and safeguarding responsibilities.
What to include
Share the concern, not sensitive files.
Provide enough information for ACOH to understand the concern. You do not need to investigate or decide whether abuse has occurred.
In the first email, do not include identification documents, medical records, exact child-location details, or other highly sensitive files. ACOH will arrange a private follow-up when more information is needed.
Immediate danger
Contact local emergency or child-protection services first.
If a child may be in immediate danger or needs urgent medical or police assistance, contact the appropriate local emergency or child-protection service first. Then notify ACOH as soon as it is safe to do so.
What happens next
Child safety comes first.
ACOH reviews each concern with the child's immediate safety and wellbeing as the first priority. Appropriate action is documented, and relevant authorities or child-protection services are contacted when required.
A person who raises a genuine concern in good faith will be treated respectfully.
Safeguarding oversight is provided by ACOH leadership and the Board of Directors.