DEFENCE FOR CHILDREN INTERNATIONAL (DCI) - Belgium | Practical Guide C. RESPECT FOR THE AUTHORITIES A visiting body’s role is to monitor the authority’s compliance with the rights of children deprived of their liberty and this is best achieved by establishing a minimum basis of mutual respect. Monitors should respect the functioning of the authorities and identify the hierarchical levels and their responsibilities so that problems can be addressed at the right level. This relationship of mutual respect does not mean that the authorities have any influence on the monitoring team and, in any case, it must not affect its objectivity and impartiality. D. CREDIBILITY Credibility is crucial to successful monitoring and monitors should not make any promises they cannot follow through with. When interviewing children, it is especially important to ensure that children know the limitations of what a monitor can achieve and that any information given is anonymous and confidential. E. CONFIDENTIALITY All information received by a monitoring body must be treated confidentially as to do otherwise can have serious consequences both for the person interviewed and the monitors’ credibility. Special measures should be taken to keep recorded information anonymous, such as the identities of interviewees, for example, by using code names etc. F. SECURITY Monitors must be aware of both their own security, the security of those they come into contact with and the security of the institution as a whole. 38