COURSES
FIRST-Safe Courses & Training
Safeguarding Training & Education
We offer systematic training and continuing education in the field of safeguarding. The foundation’s courses are combined with those offered by collaborating universities in a modular system. Individuals who have completed their studies can pursue a specialization in safeguarding.
Become a Safeguarding-Observer (Level: Bachelor) >
Become a Safeguarding-Officer (Level: Master) >
Become a Safeguarding-Expert (Level: PhD) >
Want to learn more?
Feel free to contact our experts >
Workgroups
The Foundation runs several workgroups for permanent exchange on an international level. They normally meet on monthly basis.
Workshops
Workshops are one-day offers on special subjects. They will be announced under “news” and discuss recent questions concerning Safeguarding.
Shaping the Attitude: Spiritual & Humanistic Training
Safeguarding asks for a certain attitude: to protect another person’s dignity. Dignity itself protects the secret of the personality. We offer the possibility to take a timeout for experiencing one’s dignity and developing an attitude of thriving and protection based on humanistic standards (human rights) and/or Christian standards.
International Conference
The international conference will be announced under “news” and discuss specific questions and fields of safeguarding with international experts recent questions concerning Safeguarding.
Former Activities
VI Abuse of power as conflict scenario – Systemic risk May-June 2026 >
Our archive gives an overview over past activities. Some will be recorded and made available on this platform.
Podcasts
Our Podcasts: coming soon.
FIRST-Safe Courses
Our courses are taught on a university level and demand the same access criteria. In justified exceptions, persons without admission to university studies may apply for admission to safeguarding training.
Anthropological backgrounds of Safeguarding
How does a human being function? What is essential for being human? Existential experiences testify on the human essence. We are vulnerable and need protection.
Ethical Standards & Attitudes
The risk of vulnerability can be minimized by stimulating and training relevant attitudes. Safeguarding standards, respecting human dignity and providing a certain guarantee for human rights lead to a higher degree of psychosocial security.
Forms & Degrees of Abuse
We discern bodily-sexual abuse, psychological abuse, ideological abuse and spiritual abuse but also structural abuse. Most forms of abuse lead finally to traumatizing the victim.
The Victim
The specific character of the persons or the circumstances, and the institutional background lead to vulnerability. Traumatized victims have special needs which must be respected in accompaniment to healing and reconciliation. First of all, all victims need security.
The Perpetrator
Why do people abuse? Some of them strive for power, others suffer from psychological disorders. One of the most dangerous forms of abuse is narcissistic abuse. Some traits of narcissism are present in almost all perpetrators: a deep lack of empathy regarding the suffering of their victims.
The Systemic Risks
Some institutions are characterized by high risk factors as rare, closed, exclusive and interconnected institutions. Other risk factors are strong hierarchies and financial independency. Some institutions are narcissistically distorted. They tend, even more than others, to cover up any kind of abuse.
The Safe Institution
A safeguarding-act can lead to accountability and assertiveness in the fight against all forms of abuse. A safeguarding screening will detect risk factors and stimulate systemic changes for transparency and a strong co-responsibility. Safeguarding observers and officers guarantee security within the institution. Independent ombudspersons guarantee security.
Legal Backgrounds
Introduction to relevant subjects in common and canon law. This course is free for bachelor level but obligatory on master level.
Specific Fields of Safeguarding
Social institutions, religious institutions, businesses – each place needs a sound safeguarding policy and its guarantee. These courses can be taken from the curriculum of your faculty.
Communication Training & Thesis
One week of intense communication training (in place) will conclude the safeguarding studies, followed by a short thesis on the subject “Safeguarding.”
Moderation Training
This is a specific training for Safeguarding officers. It trains their capacity to detect violations of the law and to provide evidence according to forensic standards.
Training for Ombudspersons
Independent ombudspersons are professionals in law or psychology which serve as independent actors. The training will introduce them into their tasks and rights in the context of the safeguarding act.
Becoming a Safeguarding-Observer (Level: Bachelor)
You are doing bachelor studies in a social science, law, ethics or theology? Then you might be able to integrate courses on Safeguarding. After having fulfilled the demands of the curriculum, the communication training and the thesis you will be granted the title of “safeguarding observer”. Your function will be to be the open eyes and ears in your institution for safeguarding questions. If you detect issues, you will inform the authorities in charge.
For more information, click here: Curriculum Safeguarding observer
Becoming a Safeguarding-Officer (Level: Master)
You are doing master studies in a social science, law, ethics or theology? Then you might be able to integrate courses on Safeguarding. After having fulfilled the demands of the curriculum, the communication training and the thesis you will be granted the title of “safeguarding officer”. Your function will be to be the open eyes and ears in your institution for safeguarding questions. If you detect issues, you will inform the authorities in charge. You are entitled to intervene especially in the case of violation of legal norms. You may provide moderation.
For more information, click here: Curriculum Safeguarding officer
Becoming a Safeguarding-Expert (Level: PhD)
Interested in PhD-studies on Safeguarding? The PhD can be done in the main field of your former studies if those studies provide a sound background for safeguarding. The research question will be specific for safeguarding ends. Safeguarding experts will be entitled to teach Safeguarding courses on academic level.