PRINCIPLES
Principle of Due Diligence:
In accordance with the due diligence principle, the University has the primary responsibility to ensure that necessary attention and care is provided effectively while investigating any allegations of sexual harassment and assault, initiating procedures against individuals who fail to put appropriate procedures in place to investigate such allegations, and/or against those who hide such allegations, preventing re-victimization of victims of harassment and/or violence, and while trying to understand the situation the victims experience. In the application process for allegations of sexual harassment and assault in particular, this principle, which is intended to prevent secondary victimization, must be applied in line with the rule of “The testimony of the Complainant is fundamental” when initiating the investigation.
Principle of Privacy: The University acts in accordance with the principle of privacy of the Complainant and the Defendant at all stages of allegation procedures of sexual harassment and assault.
Principle of Trust: The University acts in a way that will not harm the feeling of trust of the parties while respecting the principles of confidentiality and trust.
Principle of Urgency: TheUniversity ensures that action is taken immediately against allegations of sexual harassment and assault. The University acts promptly and actively, particularly when:
a) Such undesirable sexual attitudes and approaches involve people who are part of an organization where a hierarchical structure and a “power asymmetry” exist,
b) This situation negatively affects the education process, academic or administrative career, and employment status of the harassed individual.
c) Unwanted sexual approaches are used as a means of rewarding, retailation or revenge,
d) Some sexual approaches severely impair a person's learning and working environment due to their frequency or intensity and create a hostile, degrading and aggressive environment.
The Testimony of the Complainant is Fundamental:
As the acts of sexual harassment and sexual assault often involve two people, it is difficult to prove. Therefore, the investigation process for sexual harassment or assault is initiated in line with the principle of "the testimony of the Complainant is fundamental". While the purpose of this principle is to address the cases where the victim is unable to complain due to gender inequality and other reasons, the principle is valid only at the initiation of the investigation process.
Providing Support without Judgment:
It is essential that the Unit provides psychological, medical and legal support to
the Complainant at every stage of the process with his/her demand. All
components of the University support individuals who have been exposed to sexual
harassment, sexual assault or sexual abuse without judging.
Reporting Risks and Measures:
In the support process, the Unit is responsible for explaining subsequent procedures about legal and other remedies, risks these remedies may involve, and precautions needed to be taken to the person who filed a complaint or submitted an application.
Awareness of Intentional Misrepresentation & Measures To Be Taken:
The Complainant should not take advantage of his/her claim of sexual harassment and assault to settle score with the Defendant. Disciplinary sanctions will be imposed on the Complainant in cases where it is certain thatthe Complainant is deliberately lying and misrepresenting about the Defendant.