In a field where the best work is often invisible, we recently hosted safeguarding professionals in Palladium’s London office for the quarterly-held SEAH (Sexual Exploitation, Abuse, and Harassment) Investigations Peer Workshop. The event brought together 25 professionals from across the sector, creating a rare and vital space for candid dialogue, learning, and collaboration.

At its heart, safeguarding is not a set of policies or compliance checklists. For me, and many others working in the sector, the importance of getting safeguarding right is clear: ultimately you are dealing with people's lives. Abuse is not abstract. It impacts people in horrible ways. It is not responded to with theories.

As institutions who work with communities in pursuit of human rights - strengthened livelihoods, better health outcomes, environmental sustainability - we do so in the context of a human society built on unequal power dynamics. Safeguarding involves recognising the heightened risks that arise as organisations and people continue to hold power over others. It means understanding the potential for harm, working to prevent it, and encouraging a “safe to speak” culture in which survivors and reporters readily come through. Further, it means a commitment to responding with urgency, care, and accountability, every single time. The work often goes under the radar, yet becomes so rightly scrutinised when systems fail, and victim/survivors are let down.

We know prevention is not foolproof, so we need to make sure we are responding adequately to each and every concern and that, where we falter, we understand why and do better in the future. That is why learning, and committing to improve when processes and people fall short of the set standards, are key to good safeguarding.

The quarterly SEAH Investigations Peer Workshop is an opportunity to do exactly that. Hosting this event is one of the ways we establish our commitment, by contributing directly to sector-wide excellence.

The workshop was convened under the Chatham House Rule, ensuring participants could speak openly and honestly, while the agenda reflected the complexity and urgency of safeguarding. Highlights included a presentation from a member of FCDO’s Safeguarding Investigations Team regarding how to assess the quality of investigations, a mock safeguarding interview, and small group analyses of real case studies submitted by participants. These sessions allowed participants to grapple with the realities of safeguarding investigations, which often need to move at pace, in volatile circumstances, while respecting survivors’ need for space and time.

One memorable moment came during the mock interview portion of the day, when the person scheduled to take on the role of interviewer was unable to attend and another stepped into their shoes. It showcased a specific brand of resolve. Stepping into a vulnerable position in front of seasoned peers is never easy. The exercise also showcased the empathy and respect needed when approaching sensitive situations. The feedback and insights from the room came from a place of genuine care.

The day, I felt, was especially significant for newcomers to safeguarding investigations, as it gave them a platform to be with a cohort of experienced professionals. In turn, it offered more experienced participants a chance to embrace fresh perspectives and think through newly emerged challenges. It’s how the sector grows and maintains high standards.

The event also surfaced critical themes for the sector, including the need to decolonise safeguarding. Which is a point that keeps coming up, and rightly so. As an organiser, I received several applications from colleagues across Africa and Asia who couldn’t attend. We need to do more to ensure these voices are included in future events.

Looking back on the experience, I’m reminded of the dedication and steadfastness to the living practice that safeguarding is. Hosting the event was a privilege and a reaffirmation of the work I do - an opportunity to bear witness to the depth of commitment among my peers, whose unseen labour deserves recognition.