Ombudsmen

UCP's Safeguarding Plan
 

Since May 2019, UCP has been committed to preventing, detecting and acting forcefully in its field of action against any form of violence against people, especially minors and adults in vulnerable situations. To this end, it promotes a zero-tolerance policy against mistreatment and inappropriate abuse, as well as developing an environment of protection through different tools, such as the Code of Ethics and Conduct, an Action Protocol, a Training Programme focused on detection and reporting procedures, as well as a series of plans geared towards internal and external communication or the involvement of key agents in the context. All these measures affect people directly linked to UCP activities, especially if they have direct contact with minors and adults in vulnerable situations.

With the Safeguarding Plan, UCP is committed to:

• The careful selection and training of all employees, teachers, students and volunteers, with a view to professionalism and growth for all, centred on the dignity of the human person;
• Attention and a timely and appropriate response to all questions, suspicions and complaints that arise, whether they concern practices inside or outside the academic community or directly involve any member of the UCP;
• The dissemination and public promotion and continuous improvement of good practices in the development of activities with minors and vulnerable adults, involving their participation and collaboration with partner institutions.

The UCP, through its Code of Ethics and Conduct and other regulations, has created the figure of the Ethics Ombudsman, whose duties essentially consist of analysing complaints addressed to him regarding possible conduct or situations contrary to the provisions of the Code, as well as protecting minors and adults in vulnerable situations. It has therefore established procedures so that anyone who considers themselves to be a target or has witnessed a situation of harassment or any other inappropriate behaviour can report the situation to the Ethics Ombudsman of the respective campus.

According to the Statutes of Universidade Católica (article 42), there is a Student Ombudsman at each Campus and at the Regional Centres. The University's students have the right to turn to the Student Ombudsmen, either individually or collectively, through representatives, to present reports, complaints, expositions or petitions. These can address academic, social, administrative or other issues that may jeopardise their rights and interests. This approach aims to ensure that the university community promotes a safe environment and good behaviour.

The complaint or report must be submitted in writing and must contain a complete and accurate description of all the facts that could substantiate the situation in question. The information provided is considered confidential and must be treated with special secrecy, diligence and care. Whistleblowers are specially protected by UCP from any form of retaliation or attempt to retaliate and may not be penalised or disciplined. The UCP guarantees the confidentiality of all reports, as well as their authors, and has adopted the appropriate technical (computer security) and organisational measures (guarantee of confidentiality) to this end.