Hacettepe University has a formal, Senate-approved directive that protects students and staff who report discrimination, sexual harassment or sexual assault from any educational or employment disadvantage. This protection is explicitly regulated in the “Cinsel Tacize ve Cinsel Saldırıya Karşı Koruma ve Destek Komisyonu Yönergesi” (Directive of the Protection and Support Commission Against Sexual Harassment and Sexual Assault).

• Protection against retaliation (misilleme)
  The Directive defines “misilleme” (retaliation) in Article 4(h)/ Definitions as any act that makes a person’s work or educational life more difficult in revenge for rejecting an advance or for reporting harassment. This directly addresses protection from educational and employment disadvantage.

• Coverage of all university members
  Article 2 / Scope and Article 4(m) / University Members state that the Directive applies to all university members, including academic staff, administrative staff and students. Thus, everyone who reports an incident is covered by the policy.

• Educational and employment settings explicitly included
  In Article 2(a) , the Directive specifies that it applies to “all university components within work and educational relationships”.

• Confidentiality and safeguarding of complainants
  Article 7(a) / Principles of the Evaluation Process requires that the identities of the complainant, the alleged perpetrator and any witnesses are kept confidential.

• Administrative measures against retaliation
  Article 7(c) states that, where necessary, the Commission informs the competent authorities so that administrative measures can be taken against any acts of retaliation towards the complainant.

• Accessible reporting mechanism and support
  Article 6 / Application Method and Article 5 / Commission and its Duties establish a formal reporting mechanism and require the Commission to inform complainants about legal remedies and to ensure psychological and medical support through relevant university units.

Taken together, these clauses demonstrate that Hacettepe University has a clear institutional policy that protects individuals who report discrimination or harassment from educational or employment disadvantage, prohibits retaliation, and mandates concrete safeguarding measures.

The Directive also provides a formal and confidential reporting mechanism: applications can be submitted in a sealed envelope marked “Confidential” to the Rectorate via the Directorate of Correspondence, without requiring a name on the envelope, and the Commission can be contacted through its dedicated phone line and email address.

Application to the Commission

Hacettepe University Directive of the Protection and Support Commission Against Sexual Harassment and Sexual Assault