SAFECHAIN™

Charter for Institutional Safeguarding Integrity

Principles for Strengthening Safeguarding Systems

Author: Samantha Avril-Andreassen
Founder – SAFECHAIN™

© 2026 Samantha Avril-Andreassen. All rights reserved.

Preamble

Safeguarding systems play a fundamental role in protecting individuals experiencing domestic abuse, coercive control, and other forms of vulnerability.

These systems operate across multiple institutional environments including policing services, healthcare providers, housing authorities, social services, specialist domestic abuse organisations, and legal institutions.

While each institution operates within established statutory duties and professional mandates, safeguarding outcomes are influenced not only by institutional performance but also by the coordination between institutions responsible for safeguarding responses.

Policy discussions increasingly recognise that structural fragmentation across safeguarding systems can create challenges for individuals navigating multi-agency environments.

The SAFECHAIN™ Charter for Institutional Safeguarding Integrity has been developed to articulate principles that support stronger coordination, governance, and awareness within safeguarding systems.

This Charter provides a framework through which institutions may affirm their commitment to strengthening safeguarding integrity across organisational boundaries.

Purpose of the Charter

The SAFECHAIN™ Charter seeks to promote safeguarding integrity by encouraging institutions to recognise the importance of:

• coordination across safeguarding systems
• continuity of safeguarding information
• trauma-informed institutional practices
• recognition of coercive control dynamics
• governance frameworks that support accountability

The Charter is intended to contribute constructively to ongoing discussions about strengthening safeguarding systems.

Core Principles

Institutions supporting the SAFECHAIN™ Charter affirm their commitment to the following safeguarding principles.

1. Institutional Responsibility

Institutions recognise their responsibility to contribute to safeguarding systems that protect individuals experiencing domestic abuse and vulnerability.

Safeguarding responses must prioritise the protection and dignity of individuals seeking support.

2. Multi-Agency Cooperation

Safeguarding systems require cooperation between institutions operating across different sectors.

Institutions commit to supporting collaborative approaches that strengthen coordination across safeguarding environments.

3. Participation Integrity

Institutions recognise that individuals experiencing trauma may encounter challenges when engaging with institutional processes.

Safeguarding systems should seek to support meaningful participation within institutional environments.

4. Documentation Continuity

Safeguarding information frequently exists across multiple institutional systems.

Institutions acknowledge the importance of safeguarding documentation practices that support continuity across agencies.

5. Recognition of Coercive Control

Institutions recognise that domestic abuse often involves patterns of coercive control that may not always be immediately visible.

Safeguarding systems should support awareness of coercive control dynamics within institutional processes.

6. Safeguarding Governance

Institutions recognise the importance of governance frameworks that support safeguarding integrity.

Strong governance structures can support accountability, transparency, and coordination across safeguarding systems.

7. Institutional Learning

Safeguarding systems benefit from ongoing reflection and learning.

Institutions supporting this Charter commit to engaging constructively in discussions aimed at strengthening safeguarding responses.

Institutional Commitment

Institutions supporting the SAFECHAIN™ Charter for Institutional Safeguarding Integrity affirm their commitment to strengthening safeguarding systems through:

• cooperation across institutional environments
• governance practices that support safeguarding integrity
• recognition of trauma-informed participation
• awareness of coercive control dynamics

This Charter is intended to support ongoing dialogue between institutions, policymakers, safeguarding professionals, and researchers engaged in improving safeguarding systems.

Endorsement

Institutions that choose to support this Charter may publicly affirm their commitment to safeguarding integrity by endorsing the SAFECHAIN™ Charter.

Endorsement indicates recognition of the principles outlined in this document and support for ongoing discussions regarding strengthening safeguarding governance.