As a result of collaborative works carried out with the initiative of members from the Faculty of Law and Human Rights Law Research Center since April 2015, Istanbul Bilgi University Unit for the Prevention of Sexual Harassment and Assault has been established.

The Unit’s primary objective is to contribute to the creation of an environment based on mutual respect and free from any kind of sexual harassment or assault so as to foster personal, intellectual and academic development. The Unit also aims at establishing and running an effective support and empowerment mechanism regarding sexual harassment and assault applications. The Unit will also carry out training activities on prevention and prohibition of sexual harassment and assault as well as awareness raising activities on gender equality and the prohibition of any basic discrimination based on sex, sexual orientation and sexual identity.

Within this period, with the contribution of other participants from different academic and administrative branches of our university, two essential documents have been prepared. One of these is the Istanbul Bilgi University Directive of Unit for the Prevention of Sexual Harassment and Assault which regulates the working rules and procedures of the unit. The second document is the Istanbul Bilgi University Policy Statement on Prevention of Sexual Harassment and Assault which not only manifests the objectives and the principles of the unit but also serves as a guide for all students and employees in combating sexual harassment and assault.

In the following period, Istanbul Bilgi University Unit for the Prevention of Sexual Harassment and Assault Committee has been constituted for the execution of the unit’s activities and the coordination of the services to be provided. Ass. Prof. Seda Kalem Berk from Faculty of Law, Expert Researcher Gökçeçiçek Ayata and Lecturer Sevinç Eryılmaz from Human Rights Law Research Center, Lecturer Laden Yurttagüler from Center for Civil Society Studies and Ass. Prof. Alev Çavdar from Psychological Counseling Unit have been assigned to the Committee by the Rectorate.

The establishment of Unit is a proof of İstanbul Bilgi University’s determination to create a university environment that is free from any kind of sexual harassment or assault based on sex, sexual orientation, sexual identity or any basic discrimination or exploitation or any other reason.

Applications to the Unit can be made directly via the members of the Committee as well as through ctsob@bilgi.edu.tr.