Safe environment

Why this page exists

Speedcubing Türkiye is a community of volunteers, and an environment in which everyone feels safe matters to us as much as the competition itself. This page explains what we do not accept and whom to contact, and how, when something goes wrong.

Who is responsible

• Safeguarding Officer: Alper Şakım, Chair of the Audit Board.
• Deputy Safeguarding Officer: Tuna Özsoy, member of the Audit Board.
• Reporting address: safeguarding@speedcubingturkiye.org. Only these two people read the emails sent to this address.

The Safeguarding Officer responds to every report within 24 hours at the latest. If a report concerns the Safeguarding Officer, or they cannot be reached, the Deputy steps in.

Our principles

• Discrimination, harassment, bullying, threats and violence are not accepted in any form, regardless of age, gender, origin, belief, disability or solving speed.
• The safety of children and young people comes first.
• Every report is taken seriously and kept confidential, and the person reporting never faces any negative consequence for it.
• These principles apply in the competition venue as much as on our social media accounts and community channels.

On competition day

• WCA delegates and the organising team are introduced at the opening announcement before the competition starts, and are easy to recognise throughout the competition by a badge or T-shirt. Delegates are the first point of contact for rules, appeals and incidents; the delegate has the authority to involve the relevant authorities if needed.
• Competitors under 18: Parent/guardian responsibility continues throughout the day. The organising team does not provide childcare or supervision; the parent needs to stay in the venue or be reachable at all times.
• For lost property, venue exits and schedule questions, ask at the organisation desk.

What you can report

• Harassment, bullying, discriminatory words or behaviour
• Physical violence or threats
• A concern about the safety of a child or young person
• Accessibility problems (venue, schedule, application of the rules)
• The need for mediation between two community members
• Inappropriate behaviour by a staff member (judge, scrambler, organiser, delegate)

How to report

Anyone may report a concern, whether or not they are a member of Speedcubing Türkiye.

1. During a competition: Tell a delegate or the organisation desk straight away. If you do not feel safe, bring someone you trust with you.
2. Outside or after a competition: Write to safeguarding@speedcubingturkiye.org; the Safeguarding Officer replies within 24 hours at the latest. If you choose the "Safety" subject on the contact form, your message goes to the same people.
3. Emergency: If there is a threat to life or a crime, call 112 first, then let the Safeguarding Officer know.
4. Directly to the WCA: Complaints about a WCA official can be sent to the WCA Integrity Committee via the WCA's contact page. With your consent we can forward them too.

Confidentiality and our limits

• Only the Safeguarding Officer and the Deputy read reports. If an investigation is opened, only those taking part in it see the file.
• Information is shared with the authorities only when a child's safety or the law requires it; matters within the WCA's remit are passed to the WCA.
• We are not psychologists or lawyers. We listen, we stand by you, we point you to the right place; we are not a substitute for professional support.
• Every report and the action taken are kept in a confidential file. Retention: Privacy Notice, safe environment reports.

What this page does not cover

• Results, penalties (+2, DNF) and rule appeals → the competition delegate (WCA Regulations 2 and A)
• Lost property, refunds, registration problems → the competition's organising team
• Groups and schedule → the organisation desk

Rules

The full rules are on the Documents page: the Safeguarding policy and the Complaints and Appeals motion. This page is reviewed once a year.