Policy on Preventing and Combating Sexual Harassment and Assault

Bahçeşehir University adopts the goal of ensuring that all its members are in an equal, free and democratic working and educational environment. Bahçeşehir University aims to develop an egalitarian and inclusive approach in all its activities and processes. To achieve this aim, it clearly expresses its determination to prevent gender-based discrimination, harassment and assault in the university environment and to combat such acts. Sexual harassment and assault are acts of violence that stem from gender inequality and are supported and perpetuated through gender-based discriminatory attitudes and behaviors. In structures with hierarchical relationships, such as universities, these acts are often rendered invisible because of the difficulties that those subjected to sexual harassment and assault face in speaking up, and both the individual and the institutional environment are harmed by this. Although it is clear that sexual harassment and assault are mostly directed at women, they may also be directed at men or occur between persons of the same sex. In addition, people with different sexual orientations and gender identities (lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, intersex, etc.) may also be exposed to and affected by such acts and situations. Furthermore, sexual harassment and assault may arise on the basis of intersectional identity characteristics that are intertwined with one or more of ethnic identity, race, religious belief, citizenship status, migrant status and/or physical characteristics and that cannot easily be distinguished from one another. On its way to becoming a campus/workplace free from all forms of violence, Bahçeşehir University aims to take the initiative not only in informative and educational activities but also in the procedures to be followed when such incidents occur. The principles and practices in this document cover all members of the university, university students, academic and administrative staff, and all persons and company employees from whom services are received. Gender-based harassment and assault occurring in the university environment can adversely affect individuals' mental and physical well-being as well as their working and academic lives. These forms of violence are considered human rights violations and are subject to legal sanctions. In this context, the University considers it its duty to remind that the forms of violence covered by this policy document also constitute criminal offenses under criminal law in most cases. However, the purpose of this document is not to subject interpersonal relationships to strict discipline, prevent consensual relationships, impose a particular sexual morality, hinder freedom of expression and an environment of free discussion, or bring every kind of personal tension and discomfort of a sexual nature into official processes and meet them with harsh sanctions. In this framework, Bahçeşehir University undertakes to prevent acts of sexual harassment and assault that occur in its working and educational environments, or that take place outside them and affect working and educational activities; to carry out supportive activities such as informing and guiding those subjected to such acts when they occur; and to follow up such acts uncompromisingly when they become the subject of administrative (disciplinary) and/or legal proceedings, and it shares this commitment with the public. This document, which forms an integral part of the University's principles of gender equality and inclusiveness, is based on the understanding of combating gender-based discrimination, and expresses the institutional approach against forms of violence facilitated by gender inequality and hierarchical structures based on sexual orientation, sets out, together with the Bahçeşehir University Directive on the Support Unit Against Sexual Harassment and Assault (hereinafter the Directive), the definitions and principles that will form the basis for the work of the Bahçeşehir University Support Unit Against Sexual Harassment and Assault (hereinafter the Unit).