Mielenko & SPA

1. General Principles:

1.1. Mielenko & Spa conducts its activities with the utmost respect for human rights, especially the rights of children, as individuals particularly vulnerable to harm, exploitation, and violence.

1.2. In connection with its socially responsible activities, Mielenko & Spa recognizes its role in promoting positive social values and education on child protection. The facility is committed to safeguarding children and promoting safety principles.

1.3. Mielenko & Spa is obligated to comply with the legal duty to report any suspicions of child abuse to law enforcement authorities. Employees will be regularly trained in recognizing and reporting such cases.

1.4. To protect children, the facility’s staff will be trained on signs that may indicate the possibility of child abuse and on methods for responding to concerning situations.

1.5. Mielenko & Spa undertakes all possible measures to identify children present in the facility and to establish their relationship with the adults they are accompanied by.

2. Preventive procedures:

2.1. Every staff member is obliged to pay special attention to the behavior of children staying at the facility and their relationships with adults. Vigilance is key in preventing harm to children.

2.2. Mielenko & Spa implements training concerning behaviors that may indicate a threat to a child's safety. These trainings cover issues related to physical, psychological, sexual abuse, and neglect.

2.3. In situations that raise suspicion (e.g., a child appears worried, an adult avoids answering questions about the child), staff are required to act immediately according to established procedures.

2.4. Mielenko & Spa is engaged in ongoing cooperation with non-governmental organizations and institutions involved in child protection to monitor and improve procedures related to safeguarding the youngest guests.

2.5. Facility staff will be trained to recognize threats arising from the digital world, such as grooming, cyberbullying, and other technology-related dangers.

3. Response procedures in case of suspected child abuse:

1. Identification of the child and adult: In situations raising doubts, the staff is obliged to carry out the procedure of identifying the child and determining the relationship between the child and the adult they are with. They may ask to see the identity documents of the child and the adult.

2. Mandatory actions in situations arousing suspicion: If there is suspicion of abuse, the reception staff or other appropriate personnel at the facility are required to immediately take actions aiming to establish the child's situation.

3. Resistance from the adult: In case of resistance from the adult, they should be informed that the procedure aims to protect children and ensure their safety. If the adult still refuses to cooperate, the supervisor and, if necessary, law enforcement authorities must be notified.

4. Reporting suspicion: Every case of suspected violence, exploitation, or child abuse must be immediately reported to the police at number 112. Staff should describe the circumstances of the incident and ensure that the child and adult do not leave the premises until the situation is clarified.

5. Observation and supervision: When there are doubts regarding the child’s safety, both the child and the adult should be under constant observation by the staff. It must be ensured that they are not left alone until the appropriate services arrive.

6. Securing evidence: After the intervention, all possible evidence should be secured, such as recordings from cameras, documents, as well as testimonies of employees that may be relevant to the investigation. All evidence must be handed over to the appropriate authorities.

4. Procedures in case of confirmed child abuse:

1. Immediate reporting of the crime: In case of confirmed child abuse, the staff is obligated to immediately notify the police and prevent the child and the suspected person from leaving the premises.

2. Securing the child: The child must remain under the care of the designated employee until the police arrive, and all further actions must be consulted with the appropriate authorities.

3. Citizen's arrest: In case of direct threat to the child's life or health, the staff may perform a citizen's arrest of the person suspected of child abuse until the police arrive. This person should be supervised by two employees in an isolated room to avoid contact with other guests.

4. Preventing evidence destruction: If there is a suspicion that the child may have been a victim of a crime involving biological material (e.g. saliva, semen), the staff should prevent the child from washing, eating, or drinking until the appropriate authorities arrive.

5. Measures Supporting Child Protection:

1. Education and Training: The staff of Mielenko & Spa regularly participate in training on child protection and recognizing risks related to abuse, sexual exploitation, and human trafficking.

2. Protection Culture: Mielenko & Spa promotes a culture of child protection not only within the company but also among guests and business partners. We promote values such as respect, empathy, and safety, which form the foundation of our facility's operations. Staff are encouraged to actively report any suspicions of child abuse without fear of negative consequences.

3. Cooperation with NGOs and Public Authorities: Mielenko & Spa maintains ongoing cooperation with organizations involved in protecting children's rights and with local services such as police and social care. The aim of this cooperation is to monitor the situation, improve procedures, and consult on specific cases where child abuse is suspected.

4. Raising Guest Awareness: Mielenko & Spa implements information campaigns targeted at guests to raise awareness about the risks associated with child abuse. In common areas such as reception and corridors, information is available about child protection procedures and ways to report concerns to the staff.

5. Digital Security: To protect children from online threats, the facility enforces rules for safe use of Wi-Fi, blocking access to websites containing inappropriate content and monitoring network traffic for illegal activities such as cyberbullying or child exploitation. 6. Psychological Support for Staff and Guests: Mielenko & Spa provides psychological support for staff who may face stressful situations related to child protection. Additionally, guests can access psychological help from local specialists if needed.

6. Glossary of Terms:

1. Child: A person who has not reached 18 years of age.

2. Stranger Adult: Any adult who is not the child's parent or legal guardian.

3. Child Abuse: The commission of a crime against a child, which may include physical violence, emotional abuse, sexual exploitation, neglect, or other actions harmful to the child's health and well-being.

4. Crimes Against a Child: These crimes include acts against children such as physical and sexual violence, human trafficking, sexual exploitation of children (including child pornography), as well as other offenses violating the dignity and physical and mental integrity of a child.

5. Grooming: Seduction of a child through electronic communication means with the purpose of subsequent sexual exploitation (Article 200a of the Penal Code).

7. Examples of Situations Raising Suspicions of Child Abuse: Situations at Reception:

● Guest refuses to provide child's data or provides incomplete information.

● Guest avoids contact with staff and quickly takes the child to the room, attempting to avoid any interaction.

● Guest declares not having documents of themselves or the child and refuses to explain the child's stay at the facility.

● Guest pays cash daily without declaring the length of stay or rents the room by the hour. Situations in public areas (restaurant, bar, lobby):

● Children appear at the facility with adults who seem to be strangers to the child and avoid joint interaction.

● Adults behave inappropriately towards children, e.g., through sexual insinuations.

● Children appear scared, reluctant to interact, showing signs of stress or trauma. Situations in guest rooms:

● Visible excess of cash, drugs, or items that may be used for illegal activities.

● The room is not cleaned during the entire stay, and the "Do Not Disturb" sign is constantly present on the door.

● Children stay in the room for a long time without any outside activity or are locked in rooms.

● Pornographic materials or other items indicating sexual crimes are found in the room.

8. Procedure in Case of Confirmed Child Abuse: 1. Immediate Notification of the Police:

1. Every case of suspected violence or child exploitation must be immediately reported to the police.

2. Securing the Child and the Suspect: Facility staff must ensure that the child and suspect do not leave the premises before the arrival of the appropriate authorities.

3. Citizen's Arrest: If there is reasonable suspicion of a crime, staff may perform a citizen's arrest of the suspect, isolating them until the police arrive.

4. Securing Evidence:

After intervention, all evidence (surveillance recordings, documents, etc.) that may be useful in further proceedings must be secured.

9. Cooperation with Law Enforcement Authorities:

1. Situation Monitoring: Mielenko & Spa maintains constant contact with local police and child protection organizations to monitor the situation and ensure quick responses to any reports.

2. Supporting Investigations:

The facility is obliged to provide all necessary materials, such as surveillance footage, incident reports, and other evidence, upon request by police and prosecutors. These procedures aim to create a safe environment for children staying at Mielenko & Spa and to ensure that the facility's staff are properly trained and prepared for any eventuality. The priority is the protection of the youngest and responding to all signs of child abuse quickly, effectively, and in accordance with applicable laws.