Purpose

This policy was written to demonstrate the strong commitment of the management, staff, and volunteers of HIYAK to child safety and to provide an outline of the policies and practices HIYAK has developed to keep everyone safe from harm, including abuse. We are dedicated to ensuring that all users are protected and have a safe experience while using our platform.

Commitment to Child Safety

All users of HIYAK have a right to feel and be safe. The welfare of our users is our top priority, and HIYAK has a zero-tolerance policy towards child abuse. HIYAK is specifically designed for individuals aged 18 and older. We aim to create a safe, enjoyable, and respectful environment for adult users, ensuring that our platform’s activities are always carried out with the best interests of adults in mind.

Application of this Policy

This policy was developed by HIYAK in collaboration with staff and community experts on child safety. This policy applies to all individuals involved in the HIYAK platform, including but not limited to:

• Administrators
• Moderators
• Users
• Service Providers

HIYAK is strictly for individuals aged 18 or older. All users must be of legal age to access our services. The following measures are in place to ensure compliance:

• Users must verify their age during the registration process.
• Any user found to be under 18 will have their account immediately suspended and reported.

All individuals to whom this policy applies have a role and responsibility in relation to child protection. They must:

• Understand the indicators and risks of child abuse;
• Appropriately act on any concerns raised by adult users;
• Understand and follow all applicable laws related to the protection of minors and the reporting of child safety concerns.

Child Abuse

HIYAK is a platform designed solely for adults, and we take child safety very seriously. However, as part of our commitment to safety, we remain vigilant for any potential threats related to child abuse or exploitation and take immediate action to address any concerns.

Child abuse encompasses a wide range of behaviors, including physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional or psychological abuse, and neglect. People to whom this policy applies need to be aware that child abuse can occur in any environment, and HIYAK is committed to reducing the risks of such occurrences by maintaining strict age restrictions.

Children’s Rights to Safety and Participation

While HIYAK is an adult-only platform, we encourage users to express concerns about their safety. We ensure that all adults using HIYAK feel empowered to voice their concerns, report incidents, and participate in safety measures.

HIYAK educates all users on what they can do if they feel unsafe, ensuring that they know how to report any suspicious or harmful interactions. HIYAK’s moderators and safety team are always available to listen to and act upon concerns raised by users.

Valuing Diversity

HIYAK values diversity and does not tolerate any form of discriminatory practices. We ensure that all adult users, regardless of cultural or linguistic background, feel safe and respected on our platform. We promote the cultural safety, participation, and empowerment of all users.

Recruiting Staff and Volunteers

HIYAK ensures best practice standards in the recruitment and screening of staff and moderators. The following measures are in place:

• Conducting interviews and performing background checks for all staff and volunteers.
• Requiring police checks for relevant positions.
• Including our commitment to user safety and screening requirements in job advertisements and during the onboarding process.

Supporting Staff and Volunteers

HIYAK supports staff and volunteers by offering guidance and ensuring they feel valued and respected. We provide regular training on user safety, platform policies, and how to manage potential risks on the platform.

Reporting a Safety Concern or Complaint

At HIYAK, user safety is our top priority, and we have a clear process for reporting safety concerns within the app. If any user experiences or witnesses a safety issue, they can follow these steps:

1. In-App Reporting Function:
   • Step 1: While in a chat, tap the “Report” button visible on the screen.
   • Step 2: Choose the specific issue you’re reporting (e.g., harassment, inappropriate content, suspicious activity, etc.).
   • Step 3: Provide any relevant details or evidence to help our team understand the situation better.
   • Step 4: Submit the report, which will immediately be sent to the HIYAK safety team.
2. Contacting the Safety Officer:
   • Users can directly contact the designated Safety Officer via email at [email protected] for further assistance or to escalate concerns.
   • The Safety Officer will acknowledge receipt of the report within 24 hours and ensure that the issue is investigated promptly.
3. Moderation and Review Process:
   • Once a report is submitted, HIYAK’s safety team will review the reported content and take appropriate action based on the severity of the concern. Actions may include issuing warnings, suspending or banning accounts, or reporting the issue to relevant authorities, if necessary.
   • Users will be informed about the outcome of their report if appropriate.
4. Anonymous Reporting:
   • Users can choose to submit reports anonymously to protect their identity if they wish.

We ensure that all reported issues are addressed promptly, and appropriate action is taken to maintain a safe environment for all users.

Risk Management

HIYAK recognizes the importance of a proactive risk management approach to minimize the potential for abuse or harm. We regularly assess the risks associated with our platform and take appropriate steps to ensure safety, including:

• Preventing unsupervised, direct communication between users and minors, as HIYAK is strictly for adults.
• Reviewing any platform activities that may present risks to users.
• Monitoring and moderating content that is inappropriate or harmful.

Reviewing this Policy

This policy will be reviewed annually, and feedback will be sought from users, staff, and volunteers involved with HIYAK. The next review is scheduled for February 2026.