Safeguarding and Reporting Policy

 

Magnum Photos Safeguarding and Reporting Policy for Educational Programmes

Magnum Photos is committed to protecting the health and safety, wellbeing, and human rights of everyone we work with, and that includes during our educational programmes. As part of this we take particular care when it comes to working with young people and vulnerable adults.

All Magnum photographers and staff members must sign a Code of Conduct that outlines the behaviour that is expected of them in relation to others in the course of their work, both in public and in private. In addition, by participating in Magnum’s educational programming, all participants (Magnum photographers, staff members, guests and students) agree to adhere to the standards set out in this policy.

Alongside this, representatives of Magnum – together with our students and guests – are expected to comply with national, federal, state, and local laws and regulations that govern these activities, and staff members are also bound by Magnum’s Employee Handbook.

Magnum provides verbal briefings as part of our event orientation in which we discuss this policy.

Magnum’s educational programming is designed for adults, however there may be rare occasions when the organisation provides programming for children and young people under the age of 18. On these occasions, Magnum requires legal guardian consent forms, will provide special briefings, and ensure close supervision is in place. It is also Magnum’s policy that all photographers and staff members who participate in this programming must have first received accredited training in the safeguarding of children, governed by local legislation.

Whilst the Code of Conduct applies to Magnum photographers and staff members at all times, where Magnum representatives take part in activities and events organised by others, they are expected to follow the policies and guidelines set out by those third-parties. To the extent that the Code of Conduct differs from the third-party policies, the more restrictive standard should apply.

Health and Safety
Magnum is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment. Ahead of each event, we assess the hazards and risks and identify the appropriate precautions which are communicated as part of the event briefing. 

We expect all event participants to co-operate by listening carefully and following instructions, using any safety equipment that has been provided, and taking part in relevant training. All participants have a duty to take care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions.

Wellbeing
Magnum requires its photographers and staff to create a teaching environment that prioritizes the emotional wellbeing of students by treating colleagues, students and guests with dignity and respect. 

This includes establishing and maintaining appropriate physical, verbal, emotional and social boundaries. These expectations are made clear to students and guests who are also asked to adhere to these boundaries and commit to fostering this supportive and safe environment.

Human Rights
Magnum expects its photographers and staff members to respect and uphold individual human rights through the fair and equal treatment of others. 

We expect tolerance of differing viewpoints regardless of a person’s race, nationality, ethnic origin, age, religion or belief, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, genetics, and any other definitions protected under applicable international and national laws. Discrimination or harassment of any kind will not be tolerated.

These expectations will also be made clear to students and guests who will also be asked to adhere to these laws and commit to fostering this fair and equal environment.

Summary
For the avoidance of doubt, in signing up to this policy, Magnum photographers and staff members agree to:

  • Communicate with students in a way that is transparent, respectful, and culturally aware;
  • Refrain from touching students unless in a medical or other emergency situation;
  • Refrain from accepting gifts from, or giving gifts to, individual students. Sharing of books or printed material is allowed; 
  • Acknowledge that any harassment of students or colleagues during or after Magnum events, including via private communications or social media, will not be tolerated and appropriate disciplinary action will be taken;
  • Acknowledge that under no circumstances is it appropriate for Magnum photographers or staff members to engage in romantic or sexual relationships with students they are working with; 

Give due consideration before entering into a consenting adult relationship of any kind with a former student, including the power dynamic of a relationship of this kind, the potential harm to the former student, and how this relationship might be perceived for the individuals and Magnum.

Breaches
Breaches of this policy are taken very seriously and we encourage anyone who is the subject of or a witness to inappropriate behaviour to please report it.

Magnum photographers and staff members agree to:

  • Make sure colleagues, students and invited guests are aware of the procedures for reporting incidents at the beginning of every programme, as outlined below;
  • Be proactive when having reason to believe that a colleague, student/s or invited guest may be involved in an inappropriate situation;
  • Cooperate fully and honestly during investigations and proceedings;
  • Not discriminate in any way against or victimise a person on the basis of them having made a complaint.

Reporting
Complaints relating to recent or historic behaviour that breaches this policy should be reported to the Magnum staff member in the first instance who will create an incident report form, and escalate the matter to management as required.

If the complaint relates to that staff member, reports should be emailed to confidential@magnumphotos.com. Emails are received jointly by Magnum’s President, Olivia Arthur, and CEO, Caitlin Hughes.

Magnum  is committed to investigating all complaints – including historic incidents – and we encourage people to report these. Where requested, all possible steps will be taken to ensure the complainant remains anonymous. Complaints will be handled using Magnum’s complaints handling procedure, by team members trained in accordance with Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) guidance. This process will be overseen by the organisation’s female-led management team comprising the CEO and President. 

If for any reason you do not feel comfortable raising your concerns with Magnum directly, you can also contact Safecall who operate an independent, external reporting line. All calls are treated with utmost confidentiality by independent staff and you can be assured your concerns will be fully addressed. 

Safecall can be contacted on the following freephone numbers: 

1 866 901 3295 (US)
00 800 72332255 (France)
0800 915 1571 (UK) 

Other global freephone numbers can be found here: https://www.safecall.co.uk/file-a-report/telephone-numbers

Safecall’s lines are available 24 hour a day, 7 days a week, and language translation services are available. Your call will not be audio recorded and your anonymity will be guaranteed should you wish. You can also make a report to Safecall via the web on https://www.safecall.co.uk/file-a-report/

Magnum Photos is committed to being a learning organisation in regards to issues outlined in this policy. This document will be regularly reviewed and we welcome any feedback on how it  can be improved. Please email Shannon Ghannam, Global Education Director shannon.ghannam@magnumphotos.com.

Last updated 1st October 2020

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