Definitions and Key Terms
Affected Person
Any individual who takes part in or benefits from the Yücel Cultural Foundation and its sub-projects for livelihood or educational support, protection or assistance. This definition also includes individuals within partner organisations, partners, donors, volunteers and service providers working in the local communities where those organisations operate.
Abuse
Any actual or threatened neglect, emotional, physical and/or sexual exploitation or abuse, including sexual harassment, directed at a child under the age of 18, a young person or an adult by any member of our staff, volunteers or implementing partners.
Complaint
A “complaints mechanism” refers to trusted channels through which an affected person or members of a community can safely report complaints and receive assistance.
Gender-Based Violence
An umbrella term for any harmful act committed against a person’s will and based on socially ascribed gender differences. It includes acts that cause physical, sexual or psychological harm or suffering, threats of such acts, coercion and other forms of deprivation of liberty. These acts may occur in public or in private.
Covered Persons
Any person serving the organisation, including the Yücel Cultural Foundation’s trustees, employees, volunteers, scholarship recipients, interns and consultants.
Integrity
The core principles of accountability, independence, impartiality, respect and professional commitment are documented in our Code of Business Ethics. The Yücel Cultural Foundation has zero tolerance for physical violence and sexual harassment. This policy regulates the conduct of the Foundation’s staff and partners towards third parties, protects vulnerable people from sexual exploitation and abuse by staff and partners, and helps safeguard the integrity of the Foundation’s activities.
Sexual Harassment
Any actual or threatened physical or psychological intrusion of a sexual nature that occurs by force or under unequal or coercive conditions. It includes sexual activity with anyone who benefits from the Yücel Cultural Foundation’s services or programmes, or with anyone under the age of 18. It also includes, without limitation, obtaining financial, social or political benefit from another person’s sexual exploitation, transactional sex and exploitative relationships.
Sexual harassment also includes unwanted verbal, non-verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature that has the purpose or effect of violating a person’s dignity by creating an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating or offensive environment.
Victim
A person who has experienced sexual exploitation or harassment.
Third-Party Personnel
Any personnel supplied under a service or rental agreement by a person or organisation employed by a third party and having an indirect relationship with the Yücel Cultural Foundation.
Whistleblower
A person who raises a concern about wrongdoing. Whistleblowers provide information based on a reasonable suspicion that wrongdoing has occurred.
Vulnerable Adult
A person over the age of 18 whose physical, mental or emotional capacity is limited, or who is more exposed to abuse or exploitation because of their social or economic circumstances.
The Yücel Cultural Foundation has zero tolerance for any involvement by its board members, trustees, employees or volunteers in sexual exploitation or abuse.
Concerns must be reported immediately. Whistleblowers and others who raise concerns are protected, and retaliation against them is prohibited.
Where a breach is established, disciplinary measures such as a formal warning, suspension or termination of employment may be applied. The matter may also be reported to the relevant authorities where appropriate.
Action Plan to Mitigate Programme Risks
Risks
When planning project activities, we analyse safeguarding risks and capacity, including risks of sexual abuse by staff and volunteers. We ensure that risk-reduction measures are integrated throughout the activity.
Important safeguards include keeping information secure and confidential, creating safe spaces for programme activities, forming gender-balanced teams, and establishing supervision and control mechanisms to ensure that staff and volunteers are never left alone with a child under the age of 18 or a vulnerable adult.
Any personal information obtained during the reporting process is stored and processed in accordance with applicable data protection legislation and is used only for investigation and support processes.
Context Analysis
The Yücel Cultural Foundation assesses whether reporting allegations to the relevant national authorities could create any risk.
It examines current trends in sexual and gender-based violence, human trafficking and abuse, including child abuse, within project communities, as well as social attitudes, traditions and practices that may contribute to these issues.
Institutional and Personnel Assessment
Employees, volunteers and scholarship recipients involved in project or service delivery are deemed to have accepted all ethical policies and rules by registering on the website.
Recruitment screening, orientation and relevant safe-working practices are established. Gender balance is considered in project or service delivery teams.
Project Assessment
Safeguarding risks in project implementation are assessed, and each identified risk is examined carefully.
- Does the project target people with disabilities?
- Does it involve frequent contact with children and/or vulnerable adults?
- Do community members need to travel to access assistance through the project?
- Are high-value items being distributed, or will assistance be provided irregularly?
Each of these circumstances is assessed carefully.
Community Consultation
Community perspectives on risks related to planned project activities are gathered.
The views of people of all ages, different gender identities and different ability levels are considered, with particular attention to vulnerable groups.
Reporting Harassment
Reporting harassment or related concerns is often difficult. It may take years for a person to disclose an allegation of sexual abuse or harassment, including rape or sexual harassment, and many community members may be reluctant to report.
For this reason, the Yücel Cultural Foundation provides regular training to volunteers and employees and maintains a safe reporting mechanism. This creates an environment in which they can report concerns on behalf of community members or colleagues who may be reluctant to report when they see, hear or sense a concern relating to sexual abuse or harassment.
Sexual harassment can be difficult to identify, and different forms of power abuse may prevent a victim from speaking. The alleged perpetrator may hold a senior position or exercise significant authority over people they are expected to protect.
Reports may be submitted anonymously or with the person’s name. Reports are assessed by the responsible persons and the necessary measures are taken. Reported cases are handled confidentially, and the identity of whistleblowers is protected.
Reports must be made honestly and in good faith. Deliberately false or malicious reports are examined and may result in disciplinary procedures where necessary.
Conclusion and Review
The Yücel Cultural Foundation maintains a zero-tolerance policy towards abuse and sexual harassment. The Foundation is committed to continuously improving awareness and safeguarding measures by assessing risk factors in advance and taking preventive action across all its activities.
This policy aims to protect the Foundation’s members, partners and target groups from sexual abuse and harassment and to preserve the integrity and trustworthiness of the Foundation’s activities.
The policy is reviewed at least once a year, or whenever necessary, to reflect the Foundation’s changing needs and current legal requirements.