STANDARDS FOR THE PROTECTION OF MINORS at Eureka Hotel***


§ 1 Preamble

In view of the legal obligation arising from the provisions of the Act of May 13, 2016, on counteracting the threats of sexual crime and protecting minors, and the guidelines of the United Nations on business and human rights, recognizing the significant role of business in ensuring the respect of children's rights, Eureka Hotel*** (Eureka Ltd.) adopts the Standards for the Protection of Minors (also referred to as “SPM,” “Standards”). This document outlines the principles and procedures applied in cases of suspected harm to a child staying at Eureka Hotel*** and in preventing such threats, including the consideration of children with disabilities and children with special educational needs.

§ 2 General Provisions

The Standards for the Protection of Minors at Eureka Hotel*** are implemented based on the following principles:

1. Eureka Hotel*** operates with respect for children's rights as individuals particularly vulnerable to harm.
2. Eureka Hotel*** acknowledges its role in running a socially responsible business and promoting desirable social attitudes.
3. Eureka Hotel*** emphasizes the importance of the legal and social duty to report to law enforcement any suspected crime against children and commits to training its employees in this area.
4. Eureka Hotel*** is committed to educating its employees on the circumstances indicating that a child staying at the hotel may be harmed and on how to respond promptly and appropriately to such situations. The hotel may implement this education through various training forms, such as external and internal training, e-learning, educational materials developed by the hotel and available to employees, and free educational materials provided by other organizations.

§ 3 Definitions

For the purposes of this document, the following terms are defined:

Tourist facilities – accommodation facilities and other establishments providing hotel services as defined in the Act of August 29, 1997, on hotel services and tour guide services.
Child/Minor – for the purposes of these standards, a child is defined as any person under the age of 18.
Child's guardian – the legal representative of the child, such as a parent or guardian; foster parent; or temporary guardian (i.e., a person authorized to represent a minor Ukrainian citizen residing in the Republic of Poland without adult supervision).
Unrelated adult – any person over 18 who is not the child's parent or legal guardian.
Child abuse – includes behaviors that could result in a criminal offense against a child by any person, including an employee, or behaviors that endanger the child’s well-being, including neglect. This covers intentional or unintentional actions/inactions by individuals, institutions, or society that violate children's rights, freedoms, and personal well-being and/or disrupt their optimal development.
Forms of child abuse:

Physical abuse: actions or inactions that cause or pose a risk of physical harm to a child.

Emotional abuse: long-term, harmful non-physical interactions between a child and caregiver, including emotional unavailability, emotional neglect, hostility, blaming, rejecting, inappropriate interactions, and not recognizing the child's individuality or boundaries.

Sexual exploitation: involving a child in sexual activities that they cannot fully understand or consent to, or that violate legal or societal norms. Sexual exploitation includes taking advantage of vulnerability for sexual purposes, including financial, social, or political gain.

Neglect: chronic or incidental failure to meet a child’s basic physical and emotional needs, resulting in health or developmental problems.

Crime against a child – all crimes that can be committed against adults and additional offenses specific to children (e.g., sexual exploitation under Article 200 of the Penal Code).

§ 4 Guidelines for Safe Employee-Child Relations

All employees and other adults in contact with children at Eureka Hotel*** must adhere to the following principles:

The primary principle is acting in the child's best interest, respecting their dignity and needs.
No form of violence against children is tolerated.
Employees must maintain professional relationships with children based on safety, fairness, and appropriateness to the situation.
Children must be provided with a safe physical and emotional space. If a child feels uncomfortable, they have the right to report concerns and expect an appropriate response.
Sensitive information about children, including their image, family, and medical details, must not be disclosed to unauthorized persons.
Contact with children should only occur during working hours and within professional duties. Personal communication channels or meeting children outside work are not allowed.
It is prohibited to offer children alcohol, tobacco, or illegal substances.
Romantic or sexual relationships with children are strictly forbidden.
Recording or photographing a child is only allowed with parental/guardian consent, except when the child’s image is part of a larger event (e.g., public gathering).

§ 5 Registration Procedures for Child Identification

To prevent harm to children, the identity of any child staying at the facility and their relationship to the accompanying adult must be verified. Reception staff should take all possible steps to confirm the child’s identity and their relationship with the adult.

§ 6 Procedures for Suspected Child Abuse

Reasonable suspicion of child abuse arises when:

A child discloses abuse to an employee,
An employee observes abuse,
The child shows signs of abuse (e.g., bruises), and responses are inconsistent or hesitant, or other circumstances indicate abuse (e.g., finding child pornography).
If abuse is suspected, the employee must immediately notify the SOM Coordinator or, in their absence, another designated person. In the case of imminent danger, law enforcement should be notified without delay.

§ 7 Monitoring and Evaluation of the Standards

Eureka Ltd. appoints a Coordinator responsible for overseeing the implementation of the Standards for the Protection of Minors at Eureka Hotel***. These Standards will be periodically reviewed and updated every two years.

§ 8 Final Provisions

The Standards for the Protection of Minors come into effect on August 15, 2024. They are made available to employees and guests on the hotel's website and at the reception.

Emergency contacts: 112 – Emergency number, 997 – Police, 998 – Fire department, 999 – Ambulance, 986 – Municipal Guard, +48 222 309 900 – Victim Support Line.