Safeguarding policy
How we protect children, adolescents and people in vulnerable situations in all our activities, and how to report a concern.
Our commitment
No one should come to harm by taking part in our activities.
Version 1.0 · October 2026
LUSHIA (Luxury Sustainable Hotels, A.C.) works with young interns, professionals over 55, local and Indigenous communities, hotels and destinations. We are committed to ensuring that no one suffers exploitation, abuse, harassment or any other harm by taking part in our programmes, and to acting quickly if it happens.
We have zero tolerance of the sexual exploitation and abuse of children and adolescents, including exploitation in the context of travel and tourism.
This policy is grounded in Mexico’s General Law on the Rights of Children and Adolescents, the General Law on Women’s Access to a Life Free of Violence and the General Law to Prevent, Punish and Eradicate Human Trafficking Crimes, and follows international good practice in safeguarding. It complements our code of ethics.
Scope
Who it protects and who it binds.
Who it protects
Children and adolescents (under 18), young interns and volunteers, older people and people with disabilities, members of local and Indigenous communities, and anyone taking part in our activities, in person or online.
Who it binds
The governing body, the team, mentors, volunteers, interns and members in LUSHIA activities. Also the organizations hosting interns, and the partners, speakers and sponsors of our activities.
Principles
How we understand safeguarding.
Best interests of the child
Where children or adolescents are involved, their wellbeing comes first.
Do no harm
Before every activity, we think about its risks to people and how to avoid them.
Listen and believe
We take every report seriously and support the person who makes it.
Confidentiality
We share information only with those who need it in order to protect.
Accountability
Each person answers for their conduct, and the association for acting.
Code of conduct
What we never do and what we always do.
Never
- Engage in any sexual activity with anyone under 18, whatever the local age of consent or the age the person claims to be.
- Exchange money, employment, internships, scholarships, goods or services for sex or sexual favours.
- Have sexual or romantic relationships with people we supervise or mentor while that relationship lasts.
- Harass, humiliate, threaten or use any form of physical, psychological or online violence.
- Be alone with a child or adolescent out of sight of other adults, or contact them through private channels.
- Offer alcohol, tobacco or other drugs to minors.
- Take, share or publish images that undermine anyone’s dignity.
Always
- Treat every person with respect and dignity.
- Run activities with minors in open or visible spaces and with at least two responsible adults.
- Mentor in professional settings and, online, through the association’s channels.
- Obtain written informed consent before using images or testimonials; for minors, also that of their parent or guardian, and blur their faces.
- Respect communities’ customs and their decision whether or not to take part.
- Report any concern immediately, even without proof.
Prevention
How we reduce risks.
- We ask mentors, volunteers and team members for references and, from those who will have direct contact with minors, a criminal record certificate.
- Everyone to whom this policy applies signs it and receives basic safeguarding training.
- Organizations hosting interns commit in writing to provide supervision, a safe environment and dignified treatment.
- We assess risks before every activity, trip or event, including World Regenerative Tourism Day celebrations.
- We encourage hotels and partners to join The Code, the code of conduct for the protection of children from sexual exploitation in travel and tourism, and to train their teams to recognize signs of exploitation and trafficking.
- We do not work with companies or people linked to the exploitation of people.
How to report
If you suspect someone is at risk.
- If someone is in immediate danger, call 911 (Mexico).
- To alert LUSHIA, write to info@lushia.org with the subject “Safeguarding”. You do not need proof: a reasonable suspicion is enough. You can do so in your own name or anonymously.
- You can also go directly to the DIF Child and Adolescent Protection Office (Procuraduría de Protección), the public prosecutor, the anonymous reporting line 089 or the National Anti-Trafficking Hotline, 800 5533 000.
In Mexico, anyone who knows that a child or adolescent is suffering or has suffered a violation of their rights is required to report it to the authorities immediately (Article 12 of the General Law on the Rights of Children and Adolescents).
What we do when we receive a report
Protect first; then establish the facts.
- We acknowledge receipt within two working days.
- We put the safety and wellbeing of the person affected first, and offer them support and guidance.
- Where there are signs of a crime, or of harm to a minor, we report it to the competent authorities.
- While the facts are established, we may suspend the participation of the person concerned as a precaution, respecting the presumption of innocence.
- We document the case confidentially and take proportionate action: from training and warnings to ending the collaboration and exclusion from future activities.
- No one suffers retaliation for reporting in good faith.
Responsibility and review
Who oversees this policy.
LUSHIA’s governing body appoints a safeguarding lead, who receives reports, coordinates the response and training, and reports to the governing body at least once a year.
We review this policy every year, or sooner if an incident occurs, and publish any changes on this page.
Collaborate
Let's join forces for training in destinations.
Universities
Recognized internships, faculty and co-created specialized content.
Hotels & companies
Internships, mentoring and opportunities for young and senior talent.
Foundations & destinations
Training programmes with measurable impact on the ground.
See our membership options for individuals and organizations →
Collaboration request
Tell us who you are and what you are interested in. We will reply from info@lushia.org.
Prefer email? Write to us at info@lushia.org · Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo, Mexico