We are a UK CIO charity intending to work with indigenous children, youth and adults at risk in South America. I am writing our Serious Incident Policy and Procedure and have a query regarding the reporting of serious incidents overseas.

The CC guidance 'How to report a serious incident in your charity' offers clear guidance on how to determine if an incident occurring in the UK is serious enough to report to the CC, and what relevant authorities need to be involved. When it comes to reporting incidents overseas, it simply says that:

"You should usually report any actual or alleged criminal activity that takes place overseas to local law enforcement authorities and/or safeguarding organisations in the location where this occurred. There may also be circumstances where it is necessary to report this to UK authorities. For further guidance on this, please see the Commission’s guidance on criminal reporting."

The further guidance states: "where an incident takes place overseas, incidents should usually be reported to local law enforcement authorities and/or safeguarding organisations overseas, in the location where the incident and suspected offence has taken place." The rest then focusses upon incidence involving sexual abuse.

So, I am unsure at what point any serious incident overseas should by reported to the CC. Should the same framework and thresholds that apply to work in the UK be applied to overseas work?