AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome), the first definition of infection in the 1980s, was attributed to all prejudices and hate speeches related to infection. so many years, especially broadcast media, everything is still on the definition of AIDS infection in Turkey are explained and stamping out these concepts are reproduced every day.
AIDS is a stage in which the immune system cannot function if HIV infection is left untreated and opportunistic infections occur. However, in social perception AIDS is becoming the disease of HIV-infected individuals and is directly matched to death. It also causes social isolation of individuals living with HIV through its infectious property.
AIDS is not a disease but a stage that individuals encounter if HIV infection is not treated. HIV-infected people are healthy individuals living with HIV, not AIDS. Individuals living with HIV during the AIDS phase are not condemned to death but can be treated and returned to their healthy days.
In countries where HIV treatment is available, notification rates of HIV cases have declined significantly during the AIDS phase. Deaths have been reduced due to HIV infection and AIDS infections. Treatment enables individuals living with HIV to leave this stage and live a healthy life.
According to the results of awareness research conducted by Hacettepe University and Başkent University, 77% of the population does not know anything about HIV infection. Today, however, everyone has ideas about AIDS that are inaccurate, not based on an up-to-date source, mostly from newspapers, TVs and internet broadcasts where stigmatization and prejudices are legitimized.
The meanings attributed to the concept of AIDS continue to adversely affect the social lives of individuals living with HIV, whether or not they have AIDS.
In the light of all this information, as in scientific sources, we do not care about spreading the use of HIV, but the breaking of stigma and prejudices attributed to AIDS.
However, it should be kept in mind that in countries where access to treatment is not possible, HIV infection continues to come to the AIDS stage, causing deaths. Our main goal is to provide the right of people living with HIV during the AIDS stage to access treatment and to provide cheap and accessible treatment opportunities to everyone.
Gender-Based Violence: Gender-based violence includes all kinds of violence that a person is exposed to because of his/her sex and gender. When it comes to violence, the first thing that usually comes to mind is physical violence, but forms of psychological violence are as prevalent as physical violence and adversely affect one’s body and soul integrity.
Discrimination: Discrimination is often made for reasons such as race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, profession, age, language, religion, belief, national or social origin, property, disability, political or other opinions. Discrimination also includes obstacles to the recognition of one´s liberty or restrictions of such. A discriminatory treatment can be made indirectly for obvious reasons, or indirectly by ignoring or not observing special needs.
Hate speech: Hate speech means any written or verbal forms of expression including racist, gender and heterosexist hate, xenophobia, as well as intolerant, insulting and threatening expressions. Hate speech promotes, encourages, defends and justifies other forms of hate, such as nationalism, racism or patriarchy, discrimination and hostility towards minorities and migrants.
Hate crime: Hate crime means violent crimes against individuals or groups that are committed because of race, language, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, occupation or ethnicity. Hate crimes might also occur as a result of systematic violence and discrimination.
Violence: Violence means all kinds of acts and actions that hurt the life, freedom, will, health and integrity of the exposed person. It includes acts and actions which temporarily or permanently hinder a person’s existence. Violent behaviors are undertaken by the perpetrator for various material and moral interests, such as demonstrating superiority or domination over the opponent, enforcing the desired state and action, showing superiority, earning respect or similar.
Physical Violence: Physical violence includes all kinds of attacks on the body, including actions such as slapping, kicking, shaking, choking, scaring, hair pulling, forcing someone to live in unhealthy conditions, torturing and killing.
Psychological (emotional) violence: Psychological violence targets the mental health and integrity of a person. This might include repetitive actions that are extreme, persistent, and repetitive. Examples for psychological violence are actions such as constant shouting, scaring, swearing and insulting, restricting communication with others, interfering with someone’s clothing, damaging objects, hurting animals, threatening and blackmailing.
Economic violence: Economic violence is the use of material resources and economic power for reasons such as punishments, threats and control. Economic violence also includes punishing a person by not giving her/him money (even though the financial situation might allow it), confiscate goods and souvenirs, prevent a person from working or force a person to work – all without the person’s consent.
Sexual violence: Sexual violence means that someone is forced to sexual acts without consent. Sexual coercion can have different forms and dimensions such as harassment or rape. During sexual violence, a person is forced to have sexual intercourse without any consent. Sexual violence is even possible while being married.
Sexual violence might also include sexual harassment, forcing someone to produce sexually explicit material, harming sexual organs, forcing someone to sexual contact in exchange for money, forcing someone to abort or forcing someone to be pregnant, having virginity control of women, and others.
Sexual harassment: Sexual harassment includes persistent and involuntary sexual approaches, speaking, behaviors and contacts. Sexual harassment can be committed by words, glances, body language, mail and e-mail. It can also be done by messaging, kissing or sending gifts that are unwanted by the other person and that imply sexuality.
Sexual abuse: Sexual abuse occurs if a person is involuntarily used for sexual behaviors of others, namely if a person is abused, and forced by others for their sexual purposes without consent.
Incest: Incest means sexual intercourse with close relatives such as mother, father, sister, grandparent, uncle, aunt.
Incest might occur with our without consent. Sexual intercourse between close relatives might also be a result of sexual abuse and sexual harassment based on threatening, deception, oppressing, coercing. Incest is very difficult to understand as it is a social taboo.
Intimate Partner Violence: Intimate Partner Violence includes any kinds of behavior of control or domination that may be harmful to partners or ex-partners at different levels. It includes actions such as observing, monitoring disdaining, questioning, isolation or restricting friendships of the other person. Furthermore, it includes not taking responsibility for events, threatening self-harm or threatening suicide.
Digital violence: Digital violence includes all different kinds of threats such as emailing, text messaging, social media messaging and other technology and digital-based methods, blackmailing, abuse, etc. Digital violence also includes all sorts of behaviors leading to general violence because of the use of digital instruments.
Domestic violence: Domestic violence includes all sorts of behaviors and attitudes that cause physical, psychological, economic and sexual violence. Domestic violence describes a violent situation among persons who are family members or persons who share the same household or living environment.
Stalking: Stalking means the persistent and willful following of a person. Stalking might also include the acts of spying on the life of a partner or ex-partner, pressure on the other to know when and where that person is/was, constant phone calls, repetitive behavior over a period of time, frightening and suppression.
Human trafficking: Human trafficking is the sale and disposition of persons against money for sexual slavery, forced labor or sexual exploitation. Human Trafficking can be made for different purposes such as buying a person for marriage, forcing a person to the sale of his/her organs and tissues, or forcing someone to make a surrogacy or external fertilization.
Commercial sexual exploitation of children: The commercial sexual exploitation of children means that children are forced to sexual intercourse with adults. These children are used for other people’s sexual pleasure in exchange for money, goods or benefits. The children might be put into this situation by relatives or strangers.
Punishment of violence
The fact that violence is not visible does not mean that violence does not exist and does not affect people in a negative way. In fact, violence might not be physically visible but still affect people very seriously.
Any form of violence must be prevented and the perpetrator of violence must be punished and made responsible for it.
Social justifications for violence such as honor, tradition and customs (including arguments such as “non-marital relationships”, “child ownership”, “non-virginity”, “divorce”, “separation”, “wish to work”) are often cited as justifications for violent behavior. However, such excuses for one´s behavior do not at all mitigate the responsibility and punishment for any violent behavior.
Violence, for which reason whatsoever, is unacceptable and furthermore a fundamental violation of human rights, both in the international human rights protection mechanisms and in the Turkish national legislation.
Violence must be prevented and, if it occurs, must be penalized.
The most important international conventions for the prevention of gender-basedviolence are the following:
– The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR);
– The Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW);
The commitment to these international conventions give the signatory countries the obligation to establish measures and safeguards that are necessary to prevent gender-based violence.
The Istanbul Convention emphasizes that gender- based violence can affect women as well as men.
With regards to refugees, article 60 of the Istanbul Convention asks the states to accept Gender-Based Asylum Claims. This has a direct impact on theinternational protection status of refugees.
When it comes to gender-based asylum claims, states have several obligations:
– Taking legal measures so that gender-based violence against women is recognized as a form of serious damage that requires compulsory and complementary/secondary protection,
– Recognition of a refugee status to applicants if all grounds for a refugee status are interpreted in a socially sensitive mannerand the danger of persecution is identified with this interpretation,
– Decisions have been taken to ensure that the adoption procedures and support mechanisms for the asylum procedure are socially sensitive,
– The protection of the refugee status and the establishment of social protection must also be interpreted in a socially sensitive way with regards to all applications and asylum procedures.
Furthermore, the provisions of Article 4 of the Istanbul Convention on Fundamental Rights, Equality and Non-Discrimination prohibit discrimination on the grounds of sex, gender, race, color, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, association with a national minority, property, birth, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, state of health, disability, marital status, migrant or refugee status, or other status.
The Law on Foreigners and International Protection (LFIP) defines people who have been subjected to gender-based violence as persons with special needs and furthermore states that victims of violence shall be provided with the adequate medical treatment they need. Furthermore, article 55 states that victims of violence cannot be deported until their case is resolved.
The National Action Plan on Combating Violence against Women , prepared by the Turkish Ministry of Family and Social Policies, includes activities to protect refugee women against violence.
Some of these activities include:
– Ensuring that refugee women and children benefit from protective and preventive services;
– Organizing the Violence Prevention and Monitoring Centers in a manner that refugee women can benefit from their services;
– Ensuring that refugee women can also benefit from the Social Support Line by dialling “183”;
– Considering refugees and their needs while preparing the materials for combating violence;
– Including refugee women in local and national studies.
If you think you are exposed to violence or at risk of violence, you can contact various agencies and organizations to complain or to ask for protection, regardless of the perpetuator of violence (spouse, lover, police, doctor, humanitarian worker, or other).
If you are suffering from violence, or you are witnessing someone who is suffering from violence, you can contact the following authorities:
– Governors’ Offices and District Governors’ Offices;
– Police Stations;
– Gendarmerie Stations;
– Public Prosecutor’s Offices or Family Courts;
– Provincial Directorates of Family and Social Policies ;
– Violence Prevention and Monitoring Centers;
– Emergency Health Services;
– Bar Associations;
– Professional Healthcare Organizations;
– Non-governmental Organizations working on women, children, or young people
According to the Turkish legislation, no fees for such services can be charged. Therefore, all services in the above-mentioned agencies and organizations are free of charge.
In case of an emergency situation and in case you cannot reach the relevant service providersdirectly, you can also call the following emergency hotlines:
– Call 155 for Police Support
– Call 156 for Gendarmerie Support
– Call 183 for Social Service Support
– Call 144 for Social Assistance
– Call 112 for all kinds of Emergencies
– Call 187 for the Support Line Against Human Trafficking
When you are exposed to violence:
– Tell the personnel at the police or gendarmerie stations what you have experienced and ask them to keep a record. In some cases, if such a report is intentionally missed by the personnel or if the personnel does not want to share it with you, please request and insist on it. Do not sign the file before having read it and keep a copy of the file you sign.
– You must be referred to a hospital to obtain a medical report of the assault. If no referral is done, ask to be referred to a hospital in order to get a medical report of the assault before the police/gendarmerie report is made.
– The police staff or gendarmes do not have the right to enter a doctor’s office. Ask your doctor for support in case this rule is violated.
– According to the Turkish Code of Criminal Procedure (CCP), you have the right to be assisted by a lawyer. You can request that while being at the police or the gendarmerie station. You do not have to give your testimony before the lawyer arrives. You are allowed to wait for the lawyer before giving your witness´ statement and before signing any report.
– Apart from the CCP, you can also ask for legal support from bar associations and non-governmental organizations.
– The victim and the perpetrator shall never be kept in the same place. If this is the case, talk about your discomfort with the police and the gendarmerie and remind them of their responsibility not to keep you in the same place.
– If you are exposed to violence by the police and the gendarmerie, you can go directly to the prosecutor’s office to file a complaint.
– Although there is no time limit for obtaining the medical report, you shall go to the emergency services of the nearest hospital as soon as possible. Tell the doctor about the events you have experienced. You should be examined as soon as possible. It is important to report the incidences and to have a medical examination before the marks on your body will disappear.
– Sexual and physical violence can often only be documented with a medical report. Therefore, any kind of fingerprints, hair, rash, infected blood or body fluids can be used as evidence of GBV for the medical report. For this reason, don’t change your clothes, don’t take a shower, and don’t use makeup before going to the emergency services.
– If you are not confident to file a complaint, you can still get a medical report and talk to your doctor so that the judicial process will not be started right away.
– If you do not feel ready to go to a hospital, you can take photos of the traces of violence before they are lost. Make sure that the photographs are taken in a way that proofs that the scars are yours and make sure that the date when the photography was taken is visible.
– After having experienced any violent event, especially after encountering violence by the police, gendarmerie and health personnel, you can go to the prosecutor’s office in your area and file a complaint. Be sure to keep a copy of the complaint you signed for yourself.
– If you file a complaint, do not forget to add your medical report or any other evidence of the incidence.
– Following the complaint, an inquiry will be initiated and if necessary, an indictment will be prepared and a lawsuit will be filed. Therefore, please provide the address where you will be residing and reachable so that you can be contacted for future notices.
– If you think you will encounter difficulties during these processes, you should get the support of a lawyer. If you do not have the money for a lawyer, you can get free legal counseling and the support of a lawyer by contacting bar associations or NGOs.
– You can contact the emergency services of the hospital for urgent medical assistance.
– After the exposure to sexual violence, you should be treated in order to obtain health reports as well as for improving your health condition if needed. You may go to the emergency units of hospitals or primary health care facilities for a treatment.
– Following a sexual abuse, there are risks of unwanted pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections.
To reduce the risk of unwanted pregnancies:
To reduce the risk of sexually transmitted infections :
In a most general definition, trauma can be defined as a psychological or emotional response to an experience that creates or disturbs a person or that creates profound sadness.
Many experiences such as accidents, illnesses or injuries, exposures to violence, losses of loved ones or divorces can lead to traumas.
Everyone experiences a traumatic event differently because everyone faces new negative experiences in the light of other previous experiences that a person has previously encountered in his/her life.
Individuals and groups even become more vulnerable if violence is combined with other traumatic incidents, such as intense conflicts and violence in the country the people live or lived in, trauma of displacement for asylum, loss, adaptation problems experienced in the host society or socio-economic difficulties.
When people cannot cope with the trauma they experience, they may encounter many symptoms that influence their daily lifes.
Some of the psychological and psychosocial effects that are symptomatic for victims of violence are as follows:
– Pain caused by the damage of physical body integrity such as injuries
– Psychological depression due to pain;
– Depression and post-traumatic stress disorder;
– Loss of self-confidence;
– Feelings like intense guilt, fear, anxiety, shame;
– Sleep disturbances and appetite disorders;
– Physical disorders;
– Self-injurious behavior extending to suicidal behavior;
– Developing anxiety disorders such as panic disorder;
– Addictions.
All these traumatic experiences hinder people from having a good mental health and hinder them from overcoming psycho-social problems.
Therefore, psychosocial support plays an important role for helping refugees to cope with their problems and experiences.
Psycho-social support includes the strengthening of individuals against psychological discrepancies that may arise after traumas, the reduction or abolition of traumatic symptoms, the redevelopment of disrupted social relations, provision, strengthening and support of people in order to recognize their potential needs for psycho-social support.
Psycho-social support might include:
– Providing psychological support to persons suffering from post-traumatic stress disorders;
– Identifying and directing those who need psychiatric services;
– Providing other social and financial assistance;
– Allowing individuals and groups to participate in post-trauma psychosocial support services so that they will be able to identify their own needs;
– Allowing people to be prepared for possible emergencies and improving their coping skills.
Psycho-social support can be provided in a variety of ways by both public and non-governmental organizations:
It is extremely important that the special needs of victims of violence are taken into consideration by the social workers as the latter are experts in the field of violence.
The expert should also take in mind the sources of the violence.
However, it is not always possible to identify individual, namely person-specific needs in the first place.
In case that your psycho-social support is not good for you, keep in mind that your problem is not unsolvable. It is possible that your support is not suitable for you, but the problem itself may be solved.
If this is the case, please share this feeling with social workers and experts.
Persons who have a well-founded fear of persecution in their home country for reasons of race, religion, nationality, being member of a particular social group or political opinion , and thus are separated from their homeland and do not wish to return or will not return because of their fear, may seek international protection from another state in order to ensure the protection and security of basic human rights and their physical safety.
It means that whether these persons are refugees or not, after having received the refugee status, they will not be deported to their country of origin.
In Turkey, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the Directorate General of Migration Management (DGMM) are the two main institutions dealing with these issues.
The purpose of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees is to provide international protection for those who have left their country for reasons such as war or persecution.
The two main tasks of UNHCR are the support of states in the provision of international protection and the resettlement of the persons requesting international protection to a third country while providing them with a refugee status, so that the persons may not be deported.
– Managing and coordinating the work of UN agencies to provide support during the Syrian refugee crisis;
– Strengthening the access to protection and social support mechanisms for people in need of international protection;
– Cooperating with Turkey’s Government Officials to provide humanitarian assistance to refugees in camps and urban areas;
– Supporting legislative and institutional capacity building for strengthening the national asylum system;
– Following the registration and status determination of non-Syrian refugees, following up their resettlement in a third country.
UNHCR Turkey prepared a “UNHCR HELP” website referring to the studies conducted in the main fields of activity.
The HELP website is provided in four different languages: Arabic, Farsi, English and Turkish. It includes information and guidance on various issues that refugees often ask for.
The UNHCR – HELP website can be found under: http://help.unhcr.org/turkey/
The Directorate General of Migration Management (DGMM ) is responsible for ensuring international protection for regular and irregular migrants in Turkey.
For those who have abandoned the country for reasons such as war and persecution, it is the authority that decides whether a person is given an international protection status.
Cross-border migrants, who applied for international protection, are allowed to stay in Turkey and can benefit from some basic rights and services until the final decision on their application is taken.
If a positive decision on the application is obtained, that person can stay in Turkey under international protection and can continue to profit from some basic rights and services.
The services of the Directorate General of Migration Management can be grouped in three main categories:
During registration procedures, it is recorded whether the migration was regular or irregular. During this procedure, immigrants are registered and their identity cards are issued.
Deportation Centers enable the cooperation of the Deportation Centers´ operations with other operations working in the field. In the centers, several services are provided such as emergency and primary health care for migrants, arranging interviews with relatives, lawyers, consulates or UNHCR officials. The Deportation Centers must ensure that children are under special care and benefit from education and training.
Accomodation Centers are centers where those who have applied for international protection are accommodated. The centers also provide protection services. Health services, education and other social needs are also covered in the centers.
On the basis of the Law on Foreigners and International Protection – LFIP (Law No. 6458) and with regards to the principle of geographical constraints of the Geneva Convention 1951, the Turkish Government provides 3 different international protection statutes:
In accordance with the 1951 Geneva Convention, the refugee status is the legal and international protection status submitted to people that come from European countries (countries belonging to the Council of Europe) but applied for international protection in Turkey due the events ongoing in their home countries. The fact that the refugee status is only given to persons coming from countries that are part of the Council of Europe is rooted in the geographical limitations of the 1951 Geneva Convention.
Conditional refugees are persons who – as a result of events occurring outside European countries and owing to well-founded fear of being persecuted for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group or political opinion and are outside the country of their nationality – are unable or, owing to such fear, are unwilling to avail themselves of the protection of that country; or who, not having a nationality and being outside the country of former habitual residence as a result of such events, are unable or are unwilling to return to it. If such conditions apply, those persons shall be granted a conditional refugee status upon completion of the refugee status determination process. Conditional refugees shall be allowed to reside in Turkey temporarily until they are resettled to a third country
A foreigner or a stateless person, who neither could be qualified as a refugee nor as a conditional refugee, shall nevertheless be granted subsidiary protection upon the status determination, because if returned to the country of origin or country of [former] habitual residence this person would:
a) be sentenced to death or face the execution of the death penalty;
b) face torture or inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment;
c) face serious threat to himself or herself by reason of indiscriminate violence in situations of international or nationwide armed conflict.
Since 28.04.2011, due to events occurring in the Syrian Arab Republic, Syrians who migrate to Turkey are subject to a special procedure named “temporary protection”.
Under such temporary protection, Turkey allows people who migrate from Syria to Turkey to stay legally within the country and to benefit from certain rights and services.
In current practice, the Directorate General of Migration Management (DGMM) provides this status to Syrian citizens migrating from Syria seeking asylum in Turkey, as well as to stateless persons and Palestinians previously residing in Syria..
Due to the fact that asylum seekers from Syria have the right to stay in Turkey under the scope of temporary protection, there is no need for them to apply for international protection.
For this reason, those who benefit from temporary protection cannot make an international protection application within the current Turkish application procedures.
The principle of non-refoulement is one of the most important provisions of the 1951 Geneva Convention. Article 33 of the 1951 Geneva Convention prohibits that refugees and asylum seekers are returned to places where danger of persecution is present.
There are 2 exceptions of the non-refoulement principle (Art. 33 II Geneva Convention):
– The benefit of non-refoulement may not be claimed by a refugee whom there are reasonable grounds for regarding as a danger to the security of the country in which he/she is;
– A refugee that has been convicted by a final judgement of a particularly serious crime, constitutes a danger to the community of that country.
Conditions in Turkey under whichrefoulement is allowed
In Turkey, the principle of non-refoulement is regulated by the Law on Foreigners and International Protection – LFIP (Law No. 6458).
However, the LFIP also defines people who can be deported despite the principle of non-refoulement.
According to the LFIP, removal decision shall be issued in respect of those foreigners
Listed below:
– Those who are deemed to be removed pursuant to Article 59 of the Turkish Penal Code № 5237;
– Those who are leaders, members or supporters of a terrorist organization or of a benefit oriented criminal organization
– Those who submit untrue information and false documents during the entry, visa and residence permit actions in Turkey
– Those who made their living from illegitimate means during their stay in Turkey
– Those who pose a public order or public security or public health threat
– Those who overstayed their visa or the visa exemption period for more than ten days or, whose visas are cancelled
– Those whose residence permits are cancelled
– Those who overstayed the expiry date of the duration of their residence permit for more ten days without an acceptable reason
– Those who are working without a work permit
– Those who breach the terms and conditions for legal entry into or exit from Turkey
– Those who are determined to have entered into Turkey despite an entry ban
– Those whose international protection claim has been refused; are excluded from international protection; application is considered inadmissible; has withdrawn the application or the application is considered withdrawn; international protection status has ended or has been cancelled, provided that pursuant to the other provisions set out in this Law they no longer have the right of stay in Turkey after the final decision
– Those who fail to leave Turkey within ten days in cases where their residence permit renewal application has been refused
A removal decision may be issued in respect of applicants or international protection beneficiaries solely when there are serious reasons to believe that they pose a threat to national security of the Turkey or if they have been convicted upon a final decision for an offence constituting a public order threat
The statements such as “made their living from illegitimate means during their stay in Turkey” (Art.54/1ç), “who pose a public order or public security or public health threat (Art.54/1d), “work without a work permit” (1-ğ) make life difficult for vulnerable groups such as sex workers, LGBTI people or people living with HIV. They frequently face the risk of repatriation as they often become a target for law enforcement officers.
In addition, the second paragraph of Article 54, which was added with the amendments made in 2016, states a removal decision may be issued in respect of applicants or international protection beneficiaries solely when there are serious reasons to believe that they pose a threat to the national security of Turkey or if they have been convicted upon a final decision for an offence constituting a threat of the public order.
Legal Remedies against Refoulement
It is possible to take legal remedies against refoulement. It is possible to lodge an appeal at the Administrative Courts.
This includes:
Administrative Supervision of Deportation Cases and Deportation (“Removal”) Centers
Persons who are subject to a decision of deportation may be subject to administrative supervision by the governorate if the following conditions apply:
Those who might escape and disappear,
However, this period may be extended to a maximum of another six months if the deportation process cannot be completed because the foreigner does not cooperate or fails to provide accurate information or documents relating to her/his country of origin.
The Ministry of Interior is informed about the persons that are determined to be put under administrative supervision.
If the Ministry finds it appropriate, the administrative supervision of these persons is stopped and they receive a Permission for Departure.
These foreigners may be required to reside at a particular address or to be notified in the desired form.
During the period of their stay in the Deportation Centers, the people who are subject to deportation must have access to some basic services:
Furthermore, the best interests of children must be respected and families and unaccompanied children must be housed separately.
It must be ensured that children have access to education and trainings.
In this regard, necessary measures shall be taken by the Ministry of National Education.
Applications for International Protection
In Turkey, the Directorate General of Migration Management (DGMM) is the institution in charge of international protection .
People who leave their home country because of war or persecution, and who cannot return because of facing the danger of death or torture, may get a legal status, namely international protection, in order to stay in Turkey. Therefore, they should apply to the Immigration Administration (IGIM) in the province of their residence .
As temporary protection is given to Syrian refugees in Turkey, Syrian refugees cannot apply for international protection.
In order to benefit from temporary protection and to legally stay in Turkey, the asylum seeker shall apply to the Provincial Directorate of Migration and make a registration there.
The asylum seeker shall provide accurate information about her/his identity and shall bring other documents that are necessary for the registration.
Pre-registration certificates are issued in the first 30 days and are valid until the entitled person receives the “Temporary Protection Identity Certificate”.
In addition to this, refugees from other countries than Syria cango to the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and to Turkish Governmental Authorities in order to register.
Resettlement to a Third Country
Resettlement to a third country is a solution that allows refugees to be sent from the country they are currently refugees to another, a third, country where they will have access to the protection and assistance they need.
However, the provision of a refugee status does not mean that a refugee will always be part of a resettlement process to a third country.
Resettlement to a third country is not a right and is therefore not an application-based process. Due to the limited availability of quotas for third country settlements, only a very small number of refugees can be resettled toa third country, giving priority to the most vulnerable and those most at risk.
Refugees cannot request resettlement toa third country. UNHCR works in close cooperation with the DGMM to identify those cases that have the most sensitive situation.
The final decisions on the resettlement are made by the third country, namely refugee-accepting country, not by UNHCR itself.
The following institutions provide support for international and temporary protection:
ANKARA
Adress: Tiflis Cad. 552. Sok. No:3 Sancak Mah. 06550 Ankara
Phone: 0312 409 70 00
Fax: 0312 441 21 73
VAN
Adress: İstasyon Mahalle, Terminal 1. Sokak Hayırlar Caddesi 40/2 Van
Phone: 0432 2155470 – 2143630
Fax: 0432 2148404
Adress: Aşağı Dikmen Mah. Galip Erdem Cad. No:42 Çankaya/ANKARA
Phone: +90 312 427 55 83
Phone: +90 312 212 60 12
Phone: +90 312 212 60 13
Faks : +90 312 212 60 14
Faks : +90 312 212 60 15
E-Mail: sgdd@sgdd.org.tr
Counseling Line: 444 48 68
By dialing “157” from anywhere in Turkey and +90 312157 11 22 from abroad, you can access services 24 hours 7 days per week in Turkish, English, Arabic, Russian, Persian and German. You can call YIMER 157 for any kinds of questions related to foreigners´ problems such as your entrance to Turkey, your stay in Turkey or your exit from Turkey.
You can also ask them about procedures concerning international protection or temporary protection or you can get information about the rights and obligations of foreigners staying in Turkey with different statuses. Furthermore, you can notice or call them (even in an emergency) for any cases related to human trafficking.
Within the scope of the project, there are three main protection mechanisms, namely Service Units, Outreach Work and a Hotline.
Service Units
Service Units are places where protection activities for refugees will be executed directly.
In total, there are 5 services units, based in Ankara, Denizli, Eskişehir and two in Istanbul. Within the service units, various activities such as the provision of information, awareness-raising events, case management and counseling are conducted for both individuals and groups.
If you need any of the services provided in the scope of the project, you can directly contact the Service Units.
Outreach work
Outreach work is carried out in order to provide support services for the purpose of the project, mainly in areas where Service Units are not available or in areas where Service Units are not accessible.
Outreach workers reach out to key refugee groups, inform them about their work, identify cases and make referrals to other relevant institutions.
Various project partners and cooperating institutions provide information about sexual and reproductive health and legal assistance regarding international protection and access to diverse support mechanisms.
Furthermore, they offer capacity building and case management for victims of violence and they provide guidance upon other required needs.
Hotline
UNHCR provides legal guidance as well as guidance on registration and application processes. For support and further information you can check out UNHCR’s
Ankara Office
Adress: Tiflis Cad. 552. Sok. No:3 Sancak Mah. 06550 Ankara
Phone: +90 312 409 70 00
Van Office
Adress: İstasyon Mahalle, Terminal 1. Sokak Hayırlar Caddesi 40/2 Van
Phone: +90 432 2155470 – 2143630
Refugee Rights Turkey provides legal support, monitoring and other case-based services for asylum seekers. On their website, the organization provides information about International Protection and Health Services in Turkey for people who seek international protection and who ask for information regarding the access to education and the labor market.
Website: http://www.mhd.org.tr/en
Address : Dr. Refik Saydam Cad. Dilber Apt. No: 39 Daire: 11 Kat: 4 Şişhane, Beyoğlu – İstanbul
Phone : +90 212 292 48 30 – +90 212 292 48 33
E-mail : info@mhd.org.tr
The Human Resource Development Foundation offers counseling and support on legal issues, health and education. It is one of the partner organizations of UNHCR.
Address: Yeni Çarşı Cad. No: 34 Beyoğlu / İstanbul 34425
Phone : +90 212 293 1605
Website: http://www.ikgv.org/
ASAM carries out the pre-registration process for refugees. This is the first step for the application for international protection for those individuals who do not originally come from European countries and for those who are not covered by a status of temporary protection.
The first step while seeking asylum and applying for international protection is to pre-register in the Ankara office of ASAM which is working with UNHCR
In addition, ASAM conducts outreach operations. It is one of the institutions that UNHCR cooperates with.
Address: Aşağı Dikmen Mah. Galip Erdem Cad. No:42 Çankaya/ANKARA
Phone : +90 312 212 60 12-13-14
E-mail:sgdd@sgdd.org.tr
Website : www.sgdd.org.tr
The Refugee Support Center Association provides legal support.
The Association can be reached directly through their hotline.
Hotline: +90 312 427 27 02
Address : ÜSKÜP CAD. ÇEVRE SOK. 6A/6 ÇANKAYA ANKARA
Phone : +90 0312 427 27 02
E-mail : info@multecidestekmerkezi.org Website :http://mudem.org/
Sexual Health is the absence of illnesses including sexually transmitted infections. Sexual Health also means good physical, emotional, mental and social well-being.
Reproductive Health is a state of complete well-being, including physical, mental and social well-being concerning the reproductive system in all stages of human life. In a holistic approach, the bond between sexual and reproductive health is significant.
For this reason, sexual and reproductive health must be considered together especially when it comes to the access to health services.
Sexual and reproductive health (SRH) means that people can realize their sexual life without the risks of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), unwanted pregnancies, coercion, violence and discrimination.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO) , sexual and reproductive health does not only refer to the absence of disease, dysfunction or infirmity related to the reproductive system and its functions, but it also refers to good physical, emotional, mental and social well-being.
SRH refers to the freedom of people to decide freely about their sexual lifestyles in a way that includes satisfaction, safety, absence of violence, people´s reproductive capacities and also people’s decisions about whether they want to have children or not.
Sexual and reproductive health is defined by international human rights protection mechanisms and is protected by a number of agreements which are related to basic human rights.
The rights, which are identified in this context, are called “sexual and reproductive health rights”.
Human rights are universal, without special status for anyone and without limitations. Human rights apply to everyone and they are protected by international agreements.
It is crucial to have awareness and knowledge about these rights. Furthermore, people need to know how, when and where (the correct mechanisms) to request access to the services.
Access to SRH services is often hindered by multiple factors:
There is not only a lack of knowledge and awareness about the access to SRH services, but also a persistent fear of social pressure (due to prejudices), exclusion by health personnel, or bullying.
This situation especially affects the following groups: young people, refugees, LGBTI people, sex workers, people living with HIV and people who use drugs.
In times of humanitarian crises, access to SRH services for the victims of such crises, be it for groups or for individuals, becomes more and more difficult.
Depending on substantial circumstances, sexually transmitted infections, or high-risk and unwanted pregnancies are increasing.
SRH Health Services
In Turkey, persons under international protection or temporary protection can benefit from the same health services than Turkish citizens thanks to the Turkish Social Security System. This means that the same conditions apply for Turkish citizens and for refugees and they pay the same fees.
Syrians can access to the same health services as Turkish citizens after their registration at the Provincial Directorate of Migration and after having received their ID cards that have to start with the number “99”.
Primary (First-Level) Health Care Institutions The following services regarding SHR can be obtained free of charge in (first-level) primary health care institutions:
You can obtain the above-described services in the following primary (first-level) health care institutions:
Secondary Health Care Institutions At secondary level, SRH health services are provided in state hospitals or private hospitals as well as in special diagnosis and treatment institutions. In these secondary health care institutions, you can find the following services:
Tertiary Health Care Institutions Tertiary Health Care Institutions include training and research hospitals of universities and other specialized clinics. You can find the following services in these tertiary health care institutions:
Services at public health care institutions are free of charge for refugees who have registration numbers starting with “99”. These refugees can benefit free of charge from the laboratories, outpatient clinics and clinical services as outpatients or inpatients. However, even if you do not register at the Provincial Directorate of Immigration and even if you do not have an ID number starting with “99”, you can still benefit from the hospitals´ emergency services free of charge.
Ağrı – 0541 579 94 04
Ankara – 0312 428 30 11
Bilecik – 0228 212 11 64<
Eskişehir – 0222 234 64 42
İstanbul Elmadağ – 0212 254 17 76
İstanbul Esenler – 0212 562 50 62
Kütahya – 0274 2223 26 27
Van – 0432 216 05 34
Adana – 0322 226 01 11
Afyonkarahisar – 0272 214 49 13
Amasya – 0358 212 83 39
Aydın – 0256 518 73 51
Balıkesir – 0266 239 08 00
Bursa – 0224 222 32 21
Çanakkale – 0286 213 13 19
Denizli – 0258 261 67 66
Edirne – 0284 212 65 36
Erzurum – 0442 238 33 23
Gaziantep – 0342 220 01 77
Hatay – 0326 227 39 39
Isparta – 0246 202 20 12
İstanbul – 0212 251 67 44
İzmir – 0232 489 89 73
Kahramanmaraş – 0344 221 48 55
Kayseri – 0352 222 62 15
Kırşehir – 0386 212 37 07
Konya – 0332 353 06 53<
Malatya – 0422 321 44 74
Mersin – 0324 290 59 41
Muğla – 0252 214 02 04
Nevşehir – 0384 212 18 52
Niğde – 0388 233 25 12
Osmaniye – 0328 825 64 81
Sakarya – 0264 277 61 56
Samsun – 0362 4432 02 55
Şanlıurfa – 0414 312 12 00
Tokat – 0356 212 40 22
Van – 0432 215 66 60
At the Hacettepe University AIDS Treatment and Research Center in Ankara, you can get information and counseling about HIV and other sexually transmitted infections. You can go directly to the Center.
Address: Hacettepe University Main Campus Internal Diseases Building Floor.1, Sıhhiye/ANKARA
Phone: 0312 322 12 71
Website: www.hatam.hacettepe.edu.tr
EGEHAUM is part of the Aegean University in Izmir. It conducts research and scientific studies on HIV and carries out support activities. For HIV related information, support and counseling, you can directly call EGEHAUM´s Support Line.
Address: Ege University Medical Faculty Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology Main Discipline Outpatient Clinic Bornova/İZMİR
Support Line Phone Number: 0232 390 29 68
Center´s Phone: 0232 390 29 82
Website: www.egehaum.com
The Positive Living Association, located in Istanbul, provides support services, pre- and post-HIV diagnosis and treatment. You can contact the Positive Living Association to get information about HIV, to receive pre- and post-test counseling, to get free and anonymous tests or to receive post-diagnosis peer counseling, medical and psychosocial support as well as legal counseling.
Phone: 216 418 10 61
Website: www.pozitifyasam.org
The Healthy Life Center of the Municipality of Besiktas in Istanbul is opened daily from 9:30 to 16:30(on weekdays). You can get tested for HIV free of charge and you can get further information and counseling. You can also get condoms free of charge.
At the Municipality of Şişli´s Health Clinic you can get anonymous HIV testing free of charge. The Clinic opens daily between 17:00 and 20:00 (on weekdays). The main outpatient clinic also provides infectious disease counseling and testing advices for LGBTI people
Address: Cumhuriyet Mah. Abide-i Hürriyet Cad. Mezarlık Çıkmazı Sok. No:2 Feriköy/Şişli, İSTANBUL
Phone: 0212 234 48 31 / 0212 232 18 43
http://en.sisli.bel.tr/icerik/saglik
The Municipality of Cankaya´s Public Health Care Center in Ankara provides anonymous HIV testing free of charge and offers further counseling services
Address: Mithatpaşa Cad. No:52 Kızılay/ANKARA
Phone: 0850 455 02 65 http://en.cankaya.bel.tr/Services/Health
Women’s Health Care Counseling Centers are the centers that provide services with the support of UNFPA (United Nations Population Fund) and ECHO (European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations) and with the help of the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Family and Social Policies and various NGOs and universities. These Women´s Health Care Counseling Centers, being located in various provinces, provide services such as health counseling for women and girls or women´s sexual and reproductive health trainings. Furthermore, they follow up on cases of gender-based violence (GBV). LGBTI people, people living with HIV and sex workers can benefit from the services at these centers. The Centers are located in the following cities:
– Adana (Seyhan ve Yüreğir)
– Adıyaman
– Ankara (Ulubey, Yenimahalle, Altındağ, Mamak)
– Batman
– Bursa (Yıldırım, Osmangazi)
– Diyarbakır
– Eskişehir (Odunpazarı)
– Gaziantep (Şahinbey, Nizip)
– Hatay (Reyhanlı, Bayrampaşa, Tarlabaşı, Fındıkzade, Zeytinburnu)
– İzmir (Bornova, Konak)
– Kahramanmaraş
– Kocaeli
– Konya (Meram, Selçuklu)
– Mardin (Kızıltepe, Artuklu)
– Mersin
– Şanlıurfa (Harran, Yenice, Devteşti, Süleymaniye, Eyyübiye)
For additional information about the Centers, please click here.
Youth Centers provide services for refugee youth in cooperation with UNFPA (United Nations Population Fund) and the Community Volunteers Foundation (TOG). Youth Centers aim to socially integrate the refugee youth and to ensure the access to mechanisms such as sexual and reproductive health services or psychosocial support services in a youth-friendly way. Youth Centers are located the following provinces:
– Community Volunteers Foundation, Ankara Youth Center / ANKARA
– Community Volunteers Foundation, Diyarbakır Youth Center/DIYARBAKIR MERKEZ
– Community Volunteers Foundation, Hatay Youth Center/ HATAY ANTAKYA
– İzmir Bulut Öncü Youth Center / IZMIR KONAK
Within the scope of the Service Units, information, awareness-raising, counseling and referral services on SRH are provided for refugees, LGBTI people, sex workers, and people living with HIV. In the service units in Ankara, Mersin, Eskişehir and Istanbul, you can get information about SRH, participate at awareness-raising events, get condoms free of charge, receive information about HIV and other sexually transmitted infections and request transfer to relevant health units and follow-up support for diagnosis and treatment. In areas where the Service Units are not available, you can call the toll-free hotline under the number 0850 888 0539 to get information and reach field officers.
Sexual Health Hygiene is related to self-care and basic hygiene. Hand washing, facial cleansing and bathing habits also directly affect one´s sexual hygiene.
Recommendations for sexual hygiene are the following:
– Regularly wash your hands with soap and water;
– Keep genitals clean and dry;
– Don´t use wet wipes, perfumed solutions or similar for cleaning your genitals;
– Use cotton and non-tight underwear, pay attention to wearing clean underwear;
– Don’t postpone urination after sexual intercourse and in all other situations;
– While using sanitary pads, change them after 3 – 4 hours maximum and clean your genitals with every change of the sanitary pads;
– Don´t use towels, swimwear, underwear or similar that belongs to others;
– Go to regular health checks for the early detection of possible diseases;
– Don´t brush your teeth before oral sex, instead just perform oral care with mouth rinsing products.
Concerning pregnancies, it is important that individuals and couples have the information, education and possibilities to decide freely how many children they want so that they can take responsibilities for their pregnancies.
High-risk pregnancy rates increase in early pregnancies, as well as during unwanted pregnancies.
Further health problems that may negatively affect the general health status may occur and such may even result in death.
For the correct use of contraception methods, information from the healthcare personnel should be obtained and more than one contraceptive method should be envisaged depending on the preferences and needs of the people.
Regular health checks need to be carried out in order to guarantee sexual and reproductive health.
Refugees with registration certificates can ask for information and provision of contraception methods at Migrant Health Centers, Family Health Centers, Community Health Centers, and Women’s Health Care Centers which are the primary health care facilities affiliated to the Ministry of Health.
It is essential to use contraceptive pills and contraceptive injections properly and regularly. By means of the hormonal mechanisms of the contraceptive pills and the contraceptive injections, a fertilization and/or gestation will be prevented.
Through the hormones that are released regularly by the capsule placed under the skin, the fertilization will be prevented. It has the same effect as taking contraceptive pills or having injections. The capsule shall be placed under the skin of the upper arm by a trained health personnel. Hypodermic Capsules are effective for up to 3 years.
By inserting a device into the intrauterine, it is possible to prevent fertilization and/or gestation and provide protection up to 10 years depending on the type of the device. The IUD should be put into the uterus by certified health care personnel.
Ovary tubes and Vas Deferens are tied by simple surgical intervention. Therefore, fertilization cannot take place and does not occur
The morning-after pill is not a regular pregnancy preventive method. It is known as an emergency contraception method and is available in pharmacies. The morning-after pill can be used after an unprotected sexual intercourse or a violent incident. The pill should be taken within the first 72 or 120 hours (depending on the dose and the pill) after the unprotected incident. The sooner it is used, the more effective it is.
The difference of condoms with the other contraception methods is the fact that a condom is the only way to protect oneself against sexually transmitted infections.Basically, the condom keeps the semen and prevents the contact with different body fluids (vaginal fluid and/or prostate fluid and sperm) and therefore is a protection method for sexual partners. The condom shall be used not only to prevent pregnancies, but also to protect oneself against sexually transmitted infections. Condoms should not be used more than once and should be renewed before each sexual intercourse. A condom should be used from the beginning to the end of each intercourse to prevent sexually transmitted infections and pregnancies. A condom that is only put on just before the ejaculation will not provide adequate protection as the already pre-ejaculatory released prostate fluid may also contain STI agents and sperm.
Sexually transmitted infections are usually transmitted during sexual activity by the contact of body fluids or mucosal surfaces on the skin. The transmission of infections during unprotected sexual intercourse is very common.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), in 2016, the number of people newly diagnosed with HIV (which is in fact just one of the sexually transmitted infections) in 51 of 53 European countries was about 160,450 people.
The ways of transmission of sexually transmitted infections are the following:
(Note: Each of the Sexually Transmitted Infections has separate transitional characteristics. The STIs in the following sections are described in general and in broad terms.)
Unprotected sexual intercourse can cause an infection because of the transmission of STIs through prostate fluid, semen, rectal or vaginal fluids. This might happen during unprotected anal, oral and vaginal intercourse between individuals.
The common use of blood-related materials such as injectors and razors can cause bloodstream infections. In addition, the transfer of blood and other blood products (as well as the use of such products for transplantations) without previous STI checks may cause infections.
Some of the STIs may be transmitted through pregnancy, during delivery or after delivery or while breastfeeding the baby.
Sexually transmitted infections caused by bacteria (Gonorrhea, Chlamydia, Syphilis, etc.) can be treated completely by the use of antibiotics.
However, Hepatitis B and HIV infection need a chronic treatment, whereas HPV has no definite but a symptomatic treatment.
HIV, HPV, and Syphilis, even if settled in the body, may not show symptoms for long periods and are difficult to be diagnosed by clinical examinations.
For this reason, it is important for you and your partner to be aware of STIs and to regularly access sexual and reproductive health care, which also includes STI testing at least once a year or at appropriate intervals after risky contacts, even if there are no symptoms.
Possible symptoms of STIs:
– Swelling, wounds, redness and itches in the genital area, oral area or anus area;
– Burning and pain when urinating;
– Sudden vaginal or penile discharge or itching of the genitals;
– Unusual vaginal or rectal bleeding;
– Colorful and foul-smelling discharge;
– Pain in the lower abdomen;
– Painful and swollen lymph nodes in the groin and around;
– Painful sexual intercourse.
The most effective method of protection against sexually transmitted infections is the continuous and accurate use of condoms
Some infections occur because of the contact with the surface of mucous membranes of body fluids that carry bacteria or parasites.
A condom protects sexual partners against sexually transmitted infections as it prevents the contact of the body fluids with the mucous membrane surface by forming a barrier.
In addition, a condom provides protection against infections such as genital herpes, HPV (human papillomavirus) and syphilis, which are transmitted by contacting infected skin or mucous membranes.
You can go to primary health care facilities for the diagnosis and treatment of sexually transmitted infections.
In Migrant Health Centers, Migrant Health Training Centers, Family Health Centers, and Community Health Centers, you can obtain simple tests for outpatient examinations and diagnoses, receive treatment for some infections and get condoms.
You can also go to other centers where you can get SRH health care for HIV, but also services and diagnostic tests for some other infections. Furthermore, you can receive condoms free of charge.
For a more comprehensive examination, diagnosis and treatment, you can obtain all the screening tests related to STIs, such as gynecology, urology, dermatology or infectious diseases in outpatient clinics of state hospitals and private hospitals, and also in special diagnosis and treatment centers.
If you need advanced care, you can contact training and research hospitals that provide tertiary level health care.
Sexually Transmitted Infections
Some of the most common sexually transmitted infections are the following:
Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection caused by the bacterium “Treponema Pallidum”. It is one of the most common sexually transmitted infection in the world. According to the data provided by Turkish physicians, it appears as much as HIV infections in Turkey. It is also known that Syphilis facilitates the passage of HIV. Syphilis, which can be completely healed when detected in stages 1 and 2, can nonetheless produce fatal outcomes in stage 3 or afterwards. Syphilis can be transmitted by kissing, oral and anal intercourse or by any other contact with infected areas, e.g. where trauma-based skin integrity is impaired. Symptoms:- Fluidness;
– Hard and painless scars on those body parts that contact sexual fluids;
– Swollen lymph glands;
– Common skin eruption on arms and body, especially on the palms and soles;
– Muscle pain, fever, sore throat, swollen lymph nodes.
Diagnosis and Treatment: The primary stage of syphilis occurs about three months after the bacteria entered the body. Although a preliminary diagnosis can be made by a clinical examination, the definite diagnosis is made by a blood test. Syphilis is treated and followed up by a specialists of STIs. The clinical course of the infection may be based on a 1 or 3 week treatment protocol, depending on the blood test markers. Penicillin and derived antibiotics are used for the treatment. An additional routine monitoring should be done 3-6 months after the treatment is completed. Sexual partners (even if one of the sexual partners has no symptoms) are treated together.
Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection caused by the bacterium “Treponema Pallidum”. It is one of the most common sexually transmitted infection in the world. According to the data provided by Gonorrhea is a sexually transmitted infection caused by the bacterium Neisseria gonorrhoeae. It can be transmitted via oral, anal and vaginal sexual intercourse. The first indication of being infected with Gonorrhea becomes obvious within the first 7-10 days after the infection with the bacterium. However, in some cases, no symptoms may occur. Gonorrhea is an infection that can be treated with antibiotics. It is the most common STI in Turkey. Symptoms:- Pain, aches or burning sensations while urinating;
– Chronic inguinal pain;
– Redness in the rectal area, mucopurulent stool;
– Painful sexual intercourse;
– Yellow-green discharge from the penis, the vagina or the anus
Diagnosis and Treatment: The diagnosis is made by a clinical examination taking a smear test from the penis or the cervix. The treatment should be regulated and monitored by a physician. Not use random antibiotics as they may cause serious problems in the treatment of further infectious diseases. The use of random antibiotics can lead to the formation of bacterial resistances to these drugs.
Hepatitis means an inflammation of the liver. Hepatitis B is one of the viruses that causes this infection. After the infection, the virus settles in the liver and causes destruction of the tissues over time. If not treated, Hepatitis B can cause serious consequences. Hepatitis B infections can be completely cured, but they can also become chronic in advanced cases. In some cases, Hepatitis B remains a carrier. Hepatitis B can be transmitted via the passage of sexual fluids during sexual intercourse. It can also be transmitted via uncontrolled blood and blood products, the use of non-sterile injections, injectors and subcutaneous materials or via direct transmissions from mothers to babies. Symptoms: Hepatitis B, which is mostly symptomless, is usually detected by pre-op tests, premarital and work-in-progress examinations and pre-blood tests. Symptoms include fever, fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting, abdominal pain, thickening of urine, jaundice in the skin and eyes and arthralgia. In Turkey, one of three people is infected with a Hepatitis B infection and one of ten people is just a carrier.
Condyloma Acuminatum is an infection which is caused by a virus called Human Papilloma (HPV). Symptoms occur within the first three months after the virus has entered the body. Symptoms: – Painless acne on the penis or on the vagina, as well as skin and genital warts. Diagnosis and Treatment: The symptoms shown on the external sexual organs have no effect other than being contagious and aesthetically disturbing, but the viruses located in the cervix cause cervical cancer. There is no definitive treatment against HPV, the most effective prevention is a HPV vaccination.
Due to a virus that causes genital herpes infections, fever blisters might occur in genital areas. Such symptoms occur within one week after the infection with the virus. Symptoms:- Muscle aches and pain,
– Headache;
– Weakness;
– High fever;
– Fluid-filled blisters in the genital areas;
– Swollen lymph nodes.
Diagnosis and Treatment: The diagnosis of genital herpes is possible by testing the blood. However, even after a treatment, the virus might reappear later onwards.
HIV stands for the Human Immunodeficiency Virus. By damaging or killing cells of the body’s immune system, HIV progressively destroys the body’s ability to fight against infections and certain types of cancers. HIV is a chronic infection with treatment possibilities, however the virus, if not treated, can lead to the Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome, known as AIDS.
AIDS is an abbreviation of the Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (The same word is used in Turkish.) AIDS is not a disease or infection by itself. The damage of the immune system occurs if HIV is not treated. In such a case, other opportunistic infections entering the body might cause a variety of disease patterns. The table of diseases that occur at this stage is called AIDS. AIDS can be controlled by appropriate and regular treatment. Detection can be reversed by regular treatment. When return is made without any interruption, people who continue the treatment without interruption can continue their lives without encountering any negativity. However, interrupting the treatment or taking the treatment irregularly may even cause the virus to develop resistance to treatment, which complicates the treatment process and reduces its success rate.
1) Transmission – The period of infection.
2) Acute HIV infection – The first reaction of the body can be seen 2-4 weeks after the HIV transmission. It is often difficult to understand because the symptoms are very similar to general infectious diseases. During this time period, antibody tests are often negative. The time period is therefore known as window period. However, the person is already infectious from this point of the HIV stage.
3) Seroconversion Period – At this stage, the presence of the HIV- infection might be detected by laboratory tests.
4) Non-Diagnosis Period – During this period, no symptoms occur and the normal health conditions remain. This period can take up to 10-12 years. HIV might be diagnosed in blood tests that people have done for various other reasons (pre-surgery, pre-pregnancy or start of an employment). In case HIV is diagnosed, the immediate treatment begins. The infection status of the person receiving treatment does not go beyond this condition.
5) Early Diagnosis Period – Symptoms such as a weakened immune system, headache, intense weight loss, and unexplained fever, prolonged or unstable diarrhea occur during the early diagnosis period.
6) Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) – AIDS is monitored in the absence of a diagnosis or treatment of HIV in previous stages. Immune system deficiencies are evident and opportunistic cancer types can be observed. With a treatment, it is possible to return to a non-diagnosis period.
7) Advanced Stage – The advanced stage occurs for people who have not been diagnosed or who have not been treated despite the diagnosis. Losing muscle masses, dysfunction in the nervous system and similar symptoms are observed. Untreated cases usually result in death.
Modes of Transmission:
HIV can be in blood, vaginal fluid, semen and in the mother’s milk.
– High fever;
– Swollen lymph glands;
– Infections of mouth, esophagus and/or genital area;
– Muscle pains and other related pains;
– Diarrhea that doesn’t last long;
– Respiratory disorders such as cough;
– Nausea and vomiting, loss of weight;
– Recurrent infections.
Unprotected sex: The risk of transmission increases with the number of unprotected sex.
Blood: Blood and blood products that are HIV-infected can be transmitted by tissue and organ transplantations, however nowadays HIV scanning is a legal requirement before performing a transplantation. The most common cause of a HIV – positive blood transfusion is the use of intravenous injections.
Mother-to-Child Transmission: A mother may transmit HIV to her baby during the pregnancy, during delivery or by breastfeeding. However, with the necessary precautions and treatments, the virus transmission rates from mothers to babies can be reduced to very low levels.
HIV is not transmitted through body fluids such as saliva, sweat, urine, or tears. Behaviors such as sneezing, coughing, using the same plates /forks/glasses, or using common toilets/bathrooms, using a swimming pool, handshaking and kissing do not transmit HIV.
Regular blood testing is important. When a person encounters symptoms that might indicate a HIV infection, the person should be tested for HIV without further delay. Even if you do not have any symptoms, you should have a test after 3 months if you have had a risky experience. Counseling can be provided before and after the HIV test. If your test result is positive, you should refer to a specialist physician and start treatment while profiting from the received counseling services. The HIV virus cannot be totally removed from the body but the virus can be controlled by several treatment methods and the disease agents can be eliminated. During the treatment of HIV, the so-called “Antiretroviral Therapy” stops influencing the immune system. It is important to continue treatment even if the virus is undetectable. Irregularly starting and stopping the HIV treatment or using irregular medication complicates the treatment process and can lead to the failure of the treatment. HIV treatment is covered by the general health insurance. Refugees can benefit anonymously and free of charge from HIV testing. However, refugees are required to register for further HIV treatment and they have to have an ID number starting with “99” and need to be registered in the province where they ask for services
Preventive Treatment:
Any suspicious feeling is a form of preventive treatment to reduce the risks of infection after a risky situation.
After any suspicious behavior, PEP helps to prevent the spreading of the virus.
PEP should be firstly taken within 72 hours after the risky behavior. However, even if taken during this time, PEP may not provide absolute protection.
For this reason, you should in any case consult a specialist physician or talk to a health unit, providing HIV diagnosis and treatment services.
Pre-exposure prophylaxis is a method used by people who do not live with HIV but who have practices (e.g. sex, injection drug use) that increase the likelihood of getting infected with HIV.
It is applied by regular use of a medicine used in the treatment of HIV. In the case that HIV has been transmitted to one´s body, the virus will stop its replication and an infection will be prevented.
It is important to take the medicine for the PrEP treatment as consistently as prescribed by the physician.
PrEP is an alternative method of contraception in situations where the time of the risky behavior is known in advance. A double-dose of the medicine should be taken within 2 to 24 hours before the risky behavior, one dose within the 24 hours after the risky behavior and another dose of medicine after 48 hours.
The treatment must be prescribed by a physician.
PrEP is not recommended as a lifetime protection, it should be used during periods when the risk for HIV infections is high.
However, PreP is very important for the protection of high-risk groups, especially sex workers.
HIV -Protection Methods:
In order to be protected from HIV, the ways of transmission must be considered.
Medical support and counseling from specialists must be obtained to prevent a mother-to-child transmission of HIV.
Sterile injections should always be used for intravenous use and injections, and injections should not be shared with other people.
The most important method of HIV prevention is the continuous use of condoms. In the case of monogamous relationships, people think that the use of condoms is not necessary, however, monogamy is not a protection method. It reduces the risk of getting a virus, when the partner is sure that, he/she is not HIV-infected.
Living with HIV
For people who are diagnosed with HIV, several HIV life counseling services can be provided.
Such counseling services can be found at university affiliated training and research centers that are specialized on HIV, community-based Health Organizations (approved by the municipality and the Ministry of Health), or at support centers and service units of some NGOs working on HIV.
Counseling for people living with HIV includes:
– Guidance about the treatments post- diagnosis;
– Psychosocial support in order to handle difficulties regarding education, work and family life;
– Legal support in cases of social exclusion and discrimination.
Condoms should be used for all kinds of sexual activities to prevent sexually transmitted infections, HIV and other infections.
There are two types of condoms, namely male and female condoms.
Female Condoms
During sexual intercourse, the female condom is put inside the vagina, the erected penis therefore passes through it.
1. Check the expiry date on the condom package. Condoms with an expired expiration date shall never be used.
2. Check that the condom package is not damaged or torn.
3. Be careful not to tear the condom. You should not try to open it with your teeth or nails.
4. Check that there is enough lubricant on the condom.
5. Push the condom into the vagina by squeezing the ring at the end of the condom between the thumb and forefinger. Make sure the inner ring is placed deep enough.
6. The closed end of the female condom covers the cervix and the open end should hang about an inch outside your vagina.
7. At the end of the sexual intercourse, pull the condom through the vagina while turning the outer ring of the condom around itself and prevent the fluid from pouring into the condom.
8. Knot the condom so that the semen will not overflow and will not spill.
9. Check the condom for any tearing or damage.
10. Never reuse the condom. Put the used and knotted condom in a bin.
1. Check the expiry date on the condom package. Condoms with an expired expiration date shall never be used.
2. Check that the condom package is not damaged or torn.
3. Be careful not to tear the condom. You should not try to open it with your teeth or nails
4. Once you have removed the condom from the package, check in which direction the condom is wrapped. Make sure you put it on the right way round. Condoms can only easily roll in one direction
5. Put on the condom when the penis is fully erect.
6. Before rolling down the condom, squeeze the head area with two fingers, to ensure that there is no air inside.
7. While holding the end of your penis with your fingers, roll the condom down with your other hand.
8. If necessary, you can use a water-based lubricant after you have put on the condom. Do not apply the lubricant before putting on the condom.
9. After the erection, remove the condom with the help of a tissue. When removing it, make sure that the semen does not come into contact with your partner and do not spill.
10. Never reuse the condom. Put the used and knotted condom in a bin.
Cautions for the use of condoms:
– Do not leave and store condoms in direct sunlight or under artificial room light.
– Store condoms in a cool, dry place where the temperature is not very hot.
– Do not use two condoms together, meaning do not overlap them. Overlapping may cause tearing through rubbing instead of a better protection.
– The use of water or silicone-based lubricants with condoms prevents tears from dryness. However, products such as oil, vaseline or skin cream may cause the condom to break or tear.
– Using a condoms is also recommended for oral intercourse.
– Condoms that past their expiration date should never be used.
You can go to primary (first-level) health care institutions such as Community Health and Family Health Centers or Migrant Health Centers to obtain condom. You can also get condoms free of charge from the Youth Centers, as well as from Service Units and Women’s Health Counseling Centers.
Despite the fact that sexual and reproductive health rights are basic human rights, many people do not receive SRH health care because of social pressure due to persistent general morality rules and perceptions.
This might be a particularly serious problem for some individuals and groups that want to access health care services.
Such key groups are young women, LGBTI people, people living with HIV and sex workers.
These people face high risks of discrimination at work or for their education and have a risk of stigmatization in their social and family life and environment.
Access to all kinds of sexual and reproductive health services is a fundamental human right equal for everybody.
While you want to access SRH services, but you are discriminated directly (such as a doctor’s refusal of the patient, non-protection of the privacy of personal information, exposure to bad-treatment and degradation, etc.) or indirectly (lack of planning of private health services for fragile groups, lack of safe and user-friendly health facilities, economic difficulties etc.), you can benefit from legal counseling, psychosocial support, individual information, awareness-raising events, case management, and similar services for the different cases of violation of rights.
You can receive such services while going to the service units or by calling the toll-free Support Line 0850 888 0539
The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) intensified its humanitarian aid efforts for Syrian refugees since 2011 with regards to the ongoing civil war in Syria .
In the scope of the UN Regional Refugee and Resilience Plan called “3RP”, which has been approved by the Government of Turkey, UNFPA develops and implements humanitarian aid projects.
UNFPA identifies the needs of refugees, provides services for existing needs and takes care for the effective accessibility to service mechanism in protection areas.
In order to reduce the obstacles for key refugee populations in accessing the protection services, a joint project is launched by a cooperation of UNFPA , the Positive Living Association and the Red Umbrella Sexual Health and Human Rights Association.
The project is financed by the European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO) and carried out between January 2018 and June 2019.
In addition to the services that are provided within the five different service units, further advocacy work is carried out aimed at strengthening the beneficiaries´ access to protection services outside the service units.
PROTECTION MECHANISMS AND SERVICES
Within the scope of the project, there are three main protection mechanisms, namely Service Units, Outreach Work and aHotline.
Service Units
Service Units are places where protection activities for refugees will be executed directly.
In total, there are 5 services units, based in Ankara, Denizli, Eskişehir and two in Istanbul. Within the service units, various activities such as the provision of information, awareness-raising events, case management and counseling are conducted for both individuals and groups.
If you need any of the services provided in the scope of the project, you can directly contact the Service Units.
Outreach work
Outreach workiscarried out in order to provide support services for the purpose of the project, mainly in areas where Service Units are not available or in areas where Service Units are not accessible.
Outreach workers reach out to key refugee groups, inform them about their work, identify cases and make referrals to other relevant institutions.
Various project partners and cooperating institutions provide information about sexual and reproductive health and legal assistance regarding international protection and access to diverse support mechanisms.
Furthermore, they offer capacity building and case management for victims of violence and they provide guidance upon other required needs.
Hotline
The hotline is established to reach beneficiaries in an extensive manner.
Through the hotline, you can get information about the services in the service units and you can report any problems.
The hotline provides you with information and it may direct you to various other institutions that may be helpful for you.
You can reach the hotline 7 days a week, 24 hours per day by dialing 0850 888 0 539.
You can call the hotline from anywhere in Turkey free of charge.
How Can I Benefit from the Services?
I – Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH)
You can ask for support by going directly to the Service Units or calling the Hotline at: 0850 888 0 539
III – International Protection
For the victims of GBV, the following services are crucial:
– Protection against violence;
– Protection of personal safety;
– Access to legal support;
– Psycho-social support and social assistance in the post-violence process,
– Complaints and notice mechanisms.
The following list presents the main institutions, organizations and support lines that provide such services:
Provincial Directorates of the Ministry of Family and Social Policies
In cases where no VPMCs are available, the Provincial Directorates of the Ministry of Family and Social Policies may be contacted for counseling services, psycho-social support, shelter and financial assistance.
You can contact the following support lines:
Call 183 for the Social Service Consultation Line;
Call 144 for the Social Assistance Line;
To contact the Family and Social Policies Provincial Directoratesplease click here .
Violence Prevention and Monitoring Center (VPMC)
Violence Prevention and Monitoring Centers are centers opened by the Ministry of Family and Social Policies and operated by specialized personnel who aim to prevent violence.
The VPMCs provide various services such as nurseries, temporary financial assistance, employment support, guidance and counseling, legal and medical support.
VPMCs are accessible 24 hours a day, 7 days per week.
If you are exposed to violence, you can directly contact these centers.
Thanks to the Istanbul Convention, refugees can also benefit from VCPMs.
To access to the addresses and contact information of VCPMs in Turkey please click here
Women´s Health Care Centers are the centers providing services with the support of UNFPA (United Nations Population Fund) and ECHO (European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations) and with the aid of the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Family and Social Policies, various NGOs and universities. Women´s Health Care Centers exist in different cities such as Adana, Adıyaman, Ankara, Batma, Bursa, Diyarbakir, Eskisehir, Gaziantep, Hatay, Izmir, Kahramanmaraş, Kocaeli, Konya, Mardin, Mersin and Sanliurfa. For detailed information about the centers please click here.
The Poppy (tur: Gelincik) Center, run by the Ankara Bar Association, provides free legal support for victims of violence, women, children and LGBTI people and directs them to psychologists and social workers if needed. In addition to going directly to the center, you can also call the Poppy (Gelincik) Support Line through 444 43 06, which is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Address: Ihlamur Sok. No:1 Kızılay/Ankara Phone: 444 43 06
E-mail: gelincik@ankarabarosu.org.tr
Website: http://www.gelincikprojesi.org.tr
Toggle ContentThe Purple Roof Women´s Shelter Foundation aims to combat gender-based violence. The foundation provides shelter, legal counseling and support for victims of violence
Address: Katip Mustafa Çelebi Mah. Anadolu Sok. No:23 D:7-8 Beyoğlu/İstanbul
Phone: 0212 292 52 31 – 32
E-mail: morcati@morcati.org.tr
Website: www.morcati.org.tr
The Women´s Solidarity Foundation works for the protection of migrant women. The foundation provides counseling and support services for the protection against violence, for forensic medicine and for the provision of safety.
Address: Tomtom Mah. Yeni Çarşı Cad. Galatasaray Apt.
No:26 D:8-9 K:4 Beyoğlu/İstanbul
Phone: 0212-251 58 49-50
E-mail: info@kadav.org.tr
Website: http://www.kadav.org.tr
Helsinki Citizens´ Assembly provides support for asylum seekers and refugees who have been subjected to violence. Victims might receive psychological and social support, medical case management, translation services or they might be accompanied to health services.
Address: Akşemsin Mah. Karamuk Sok. No:26 Fatih/İstanbul
Phone: 0212 531 40 28
E-mail: info-istanbul@hyd.org.tr
Website: http://www.hyd.org.tr
The Refugee Rights Center provides comprehensive and free legal advice.
Address: Refik Saydam Cad. No:39 Dilber Apt. No:11, Beyoğlu/İstanbul
Phone: 0212 292 48 30
E-mail: info@mhd.org.tr
Website: http://www.mhd.org.tr
The Association for Solidarity with Asylum Seekers and Migrants provides support services for refugees.
UNHCR is one of the main cooperation partners of SGDD-ASAM. UNHCR cooperates and conducts the field activities for SGDD / ASAM.
You can access detailed information on the centers and representative offices at http://sgdd.org.tr/where-we-work or by calling the center. You can also call the emergency support line.
Emergency Support Line: 444 48 68
The Human Resources Development Foundation is one of the organizations that cooperates and conducts field activities in cooperation with UNHCR. It supports refugees within service centers in different cities. You can contact HRDF directly for further information.
Address: Yeni çarşı Cad. No: 34 Beyoğlu / İstanbul 34425
Phone : +90 212 293 1605
Website: http://www.ikgv.org/
Toggle ContentThe Association for Solidarity with Refugees provides support on refugee issues.
Address: Uğur Mah. 848 Sok. No:16 Konak/İzmir
Phone: 0232 483 54 21
E-Mail: bilgi@multeci.org.tr
Website: www.multeci.org.tr
The Refugee Support Association provides legal support. The association is easily reachable via the support line.
Support Line: +90 312 427 27 02
Address: ÜSKÜP CAD. ÇEVRE SOK. 6A/6 ÇANKAYA ANKARA
Phone: +90 0312 427 27 02
E-mail: info@multecidestekmerkezi.org
You can get support from the KAMER Foundation after you encountered violence or other issues by calling the 24- hour support line.
You can find further information about the services by visiting the website or calling the foundation directly.
Address: Ali Emiri 3. Sok. Es-Şal Apt. No:1-2 Yenişehir/Diyarbakır
Phone: 0412 228 10 53
E-Mail: info@kamer.org.tr
Website: www.kamer.org.tr
24-hours hotline: 0530 664 44 10
The Mor Salkım Women’s Solidarity Association supports the combat against violence against women.
Address: Municipality of Nilüfer Association Locations, Konak Mah. Seçkin Sok. 23/1 Nilüfer/Konya
Phone: 0531 033 88 44
E-Mail: morsalkimderneği@hotmail.com
Website: www.morsalkim.org