Integrity Alert
A transparent, fair, and survivor-centred mechanism for raising concerns about misconduct within the animal protection movement and the Accord community.
Accountability built into the movement
Movements built on values of justice and compassion are not immune to the human failings that occur in every human community. Misconduct, abuse of power, harassment, and financial impropriety happen in animal protection organisations as they do everywhere. When they do, the movement needs clear, fair, and trustworthy mechanisms for addressing them.
The Integrity Alert system is the Accord\'s contribution to that accountability infrastructure. It is designed to make it possible for concerns to be raised, heard, and addressed in ways that are fair to all parties, protective of those most vulnerable, and oriented toward healing and restoration where that is possible.
We believe that genuine accountability and genuine safety are not in tension. They are complementary. A movement that cannot hold itself to account will not be trusted by the communities it seeks to serve.
How we approach accountability
Survivor-Centred
The interests and safety of those who have been harmed come first in every part of the process. Accountability mechanisms exist to protect people, not to protect institutions.
Procedural Fairness
Everyone named in an alert has the right to know what is being alleged and to respond. No action is taken on the basis of unverified claims, and no one is treated as guilty before that has been fairly established.
Confidentiality
The identities of those who raise concerns are protected throughout the process. Confidentiality is not secrecy. It is a condition for trust.
Restorative Where Possible
Where circumstances allow, we prioritise approaches that repair relationships, rebuild trust, and restore dignity over those that simply assign blame and exclude.
Cross-Cultural Competence
We recognise that what counts as misconduct and what counts as appropriate process is not identical across all cultural contexts. Our approach is informed by genuine cross-cultural expertise.
Transparent Outcomes
We publish general information about the number and nature of cases handled through the Alert system each year, without identifying individuals, so that the movement can assess whether the system is working.
What happens when a concern is raised
Initial Contact
A concern is raised through the Alert system by an individual who has experienced or witnessed conduct they believe falls below the standards expected of Accord members or participants.
Intake and Review
A trained intake officer reviews the concern to understand its nature and severity, provides information to the person raising it about how the process works and what support is available, and determines the appropriate pathway.
Investigation
Where the concern meets the threshold for investigation, an independent investigator gathers relevant information from all parties. Both the person raising the concern and the person named in it have the right to be heard.
Determination
The investigation team makes a finding and, where the concern is substantiated, recommends a response proportionate to the conduct. The response might include restorative processes, organisational consequences, or referral to external authorities.
Review and Learning
Every case handled through the Alert system contributes to the Accord's understanding of the patterns of harm that occur in the movement and informs ongoing improvements to our prevention and response infrastructure.
Have a concern to raise?
You can reach the Integrity Alert team in confidence at any time. You do not need to be certain that misconduct has occurred to make contact. Our intake team will help you think through what you have experienced and what options are available to you.