Cyber Bullying Research from INGEV

Cyber Bullying Research from İNGEV                                            

Everyone may be cyber bully or victim of cyber bullying without being aware…

Completing its cyber bullying study and sharing with relevant institutions, İNGEV drew attention to the danger. Awareness on cyber bullying is very low; neither those who commit nor those who become a victim to cyber bullying are aware of what is happening.

Primary assessments received from the report that was prepared by İNGEV TAM (Social Research Centre) are as follows;

Those who have no information on cyber bullying – 77%

The sum ratio of those who have no opinions about cyber bullying and those who have very little opinion occurs to be 77%. In this environment of communication where smartphone ownership encompassed the whole society and social media use was observed in early ages, such low level of awareness on cyber bullying constitutes a significant threat. It is of much importance that this threat developing rapidly and sneakily is perceived while combating physical bullying and violence. If such awareness does not rise, an atmosphere with dangerous reflections to occur since very early ages will begin to be dwelt in. As those who commit bullying will think what they do is normal, the victims will never know what they suffered and how to handle it.

Those who faced at least one cyber bullying act – 28%

There are many behaviours defined under cyber bullying. Some happen to commit such like an ordinary social media action within daily life. The most frequently experienced type of bullying is being called by phone or receiving messages insistently despite not desiring these. The ratio of those who mention they were harassed in this manner occurs to be 19%. Second place belongs to sexual harassment on cyber environment. The ratio of those who mention they received disturbing messages with sexual content occurs to be 11%. Although there have been recent studies on safety of personal data, the third place still belongs to access to and utilisation of personal data without permission (10%). Evaluating all in their entirety, it is observed that

more than a fourth of our society faced bullying. The study does not cover children as per its technique. İNGEV considers that this ratio may be even higher among children.

A point worthy of particular attention is that those who are exposed to bullying may avoid sharing this. As İNGEV we interpret that the actual numbers are higher than these numbers.

 

Those who committed cyber bullying behaviour at least once – 26%

A major part of the individuals are not aware that what they do is criminal or problematic acts. When certain acts are mentioned individually and they are asked whether or not to have committed these, they answer honestly. The three most commonly committed acts occur to be “I called and messaged someone insistently without permission” (10%), “I insulted someone due to the opinions they shared on the internet” (8%) and ”I got angry and sent humiliating, demeaning or threatening messages to my lover” (8%). Evaluated together, it is observed this time that again a fourth of the society committed cyber bullying.

Due to low awareness, someone who faced cyber bullying at one occasion may happen to become a bully at another occasion. 52% of those who committed bullying are victims at the same time. They may happen to think that the act is ordinary in both cases.

In such a time when the age of using smartphones dropped towards earlier than elementary school ages, the society having such common negative adult models is particularly dangerous.

As İNGEV, we consider that the risk of cyber bullying grows at both directions and necessitates active intervention.

 

Victims take care of themselves (63%); 34% of the bullies are from the victims’ inner circles

The low level of awareness also reflects in the aspect of not knowing what to do when exposed to bullying. 63% of the cyber bullying victims attempt to find solution by themselves. The male – female difference is also pretty distinct. Men are more withdrawn and attempt to handle the problems themselves, while women are more inclined towards seeking help from their inner circle (especially family) or trying to take legal action. An important reason behind why the women trying to take legal action is that the cases they face are relatively severe compared to men.

34% of those who face cyber violence mention that such act came from their inner circle, their acquaintances. Also considering those who avoid sharing their problems, it is observed that the aspect of family and inner circle that is most commonly faced in regards to physical violence occurs to continue also in the cyber realm.

It is high time for awareness programmes; we have to build a new social media culture without delay

The social media environment has become one of the most unavoidably important parts of our lives. 78% of our society is connected somehow with Facebook, followed by 74% with Instagram and 31% with Twitter. Environments such as WhatsApp and Telegram have become the main tools of communication. In short, communication has more and more been transferred from the physical to the cyber environment.

INGEV study shows that the violence in cyber environment also transferred into a content that is different from the “traditional” definitions and actualisations. Campaigns and programmes that raise awareness on cyber bullying have become urgent and crucial. We face a grave danger of cyber bullying becoming “normalised” in this environment where a fourth of the society become involved in without being aware of it. Cyber violence has triggered many traumatic incidents leading even to suicide in recent years, particularly in western societies. A significant problem is building up behind the curtain, beyond those we know and condemn as violence.

 

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http://www.İNGEV.org

About İNGEV: İNGEV supports human development by developing practical projects that empower vulnerable society segments, studies that steer policy decisions, and social marketing campaigns. İNGEV is a non-governmental organisation without political intentions and believes in cooperation, shared wisdom and technical quality.

Study data is based on 1.358 surveys representing Turkey that were conducted by way of phone interviews in 26 provinces according to Nomenclature of Territorial Units for Statistics between the dates 8 and 31 May. Margin of error is ±2.7% for 95% confidence interval.

INGEV TAM studies, analyses and transforms into social policy recommendations the social developments through the periodically conducted Human Development Monitor and other studies.

34% of those who face cyber violence mention that such act came from their inner circle, their acquaintances. Also considering those who avoid sharing their problems, it is observed that the aspect of family and inner circle that is most commonly faced in regards to physical violence occurs to continue also in the cyber realm.

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Syrian Perception Research from İNGEV

Syrian Perception Research and Invitation from İNGEV to use social cohesion language against the danger of othering and antagonising

Having completed its perception research on Syrian refugees and shared with relevant nongovernmental organisation, İNGEV published the primary data of the research together with the invitation to use “cohesion language”

Main assessments obtained from the report prepared by İNGEV TAM (Social Research Centre) are as follows;

Syrians sought asylum in our country due to tangible danger to their lives

Humanity faced many experiments and accumulated much experience in regards to the state of people having to leave their countries. Presently there are 71 million refugees in the world. These experiences of humanity were accumulated inside the framework of the United Nations and were bound to rules aimed for resolution. Being a refugee was accepted as one of the most difficult statues in the world. Supporting these people to rebuild their lives became the fundamental principle of the policies. And nearly 4 million Syrians who sought asylum in our country had also remained at the centre of a conflict to which they were not directly a party.  They sought this asylum in our country after becoming no longer able to continue their lives in this environment of conflict within which many different organisations and states took sides. 47% of those who came to Turkey were children under 18 years of age. They constituted the vast majority together with the women and the elderly people.

Average age is 21 years, monthly income per capita is 252 TL

The average age of Syrians in our country being 21 arises due to the high numbers of children within the population. They live in households comprising of 6.2 people on average. Their monthly income per capita, with an amount of 252 TL, keeps them below the threshold of extreme poverty. Their best contentment in Turkey is that they live in a safe environment (without the threat of death) (84%). Their worst concern is the future of their families (71%).  Their religious beliefs and practices are strong (84%). Daily life communication is kept mostly among themselves. They have to provide their livelihoods based on unregistered employment and salary. Around 750,000 Syrians are employed through unregistered employment conditions in fields of activity that are usually not preferred by the local workforce. On the other hand, entrepreneur Syrians established more than 8,000 companies.

They sell their products mostly to the Syrian community and export mostly to countries where Arabic is spoken.

Temporary Protection Status provides basic rights and restricted freedoms

Vast majority of the Syrians in our country live without a citizenship status but instead with the identity document no. 99 through temporary protection status. This status prevents them from making any long term life plans. However, they have some basic rights and restricted freedoms based on both international law and our country’s legislation. As a reflection of the UN conventions, they have rights such as education, healthcare and employment rights. On the other hand they have restrictions such as having to live only in the country they are registered in, to obtain permission from the government authorities in order to travel from one province to the other, and to receive special permit in order to be employed, and they are unable to benefit from other citizenship rights and freedoms.

The inclination to return declines based on time and type of settlement

According to worldwide refugee experience, the inclination to return may be strong if the refugees live in special sites (camps) along the borders and the period is short (such as 1 year). However, if the period extends and they live side by side with the host community, this inclination to return declines. According to the studies conducted by İNGEV, the willingness to return if life went back to normal was 78% as of the year 2017. However, development of ordinary daily life conditions in Syria will take a long time even if the conflict atmosphere ends. The inclination to return among the refugees who begin to establish a new life in the host country during such long period occurs at low rates in practice. Many Syrian children in our country have become more fluent in Turkish reading and writing compared to Arabic. In the light of all these data, assuming that a large majority of the Syrians are to continue their current and next generations’ lives inside Turkey would be the most realistic analysis. It would be appropriate to consider the strategies and policies based on such assumption. It is not realistic to build the policies based on the assumption that the majority will return to Syria or be able to be forcefully sent back.

The Turkish – Syrian tension became the most serious field of social tension (48%)

The Turkish-Syrian tension becomes more and more serious as the years pass. According to the most recent study of İNGEV in May, 48% of the public observes the Turkish-Syrian relationship to be among the tensest social relations. If we are to leave aside the political purposed tensions (between the ruling-opposing parties), the issue constitutes the most significant line of social tension. It has long surpassed the various differences formulated as Turkish-Kurdish, Sunni-Alevi, secular-religious. In addition to the factors such as economic issues and wage competition created inside the unregistered workforce market, the negative language constituted within various spheres in the recent months impact greatly upon the increasing tension. As only 14% of the Syrians consider they are in complete cohesion with the society of Turkey, 59% consider they were only partially able to become cohesive. Cohesion is our most significant issue.

 

40% of the society appreciates the humanitarian approach of Turkey, 12% finds it reasonable for the Syrians to become citizens

In line with the trend of increasing tension, there is a declining trend for appreciating the humanitarian approach Turkey displayed in regards to this issue. 40% appreciate this approach. However, the majority support the idea of Syrians returning to their country. Those who say we have to work on their integration to Turkey constitute a ratio of 17%. An indicator to the negative trend in the perception is the inclination for crime. As it is the general case that the inclination for crime is lower within all refugee communities compared to host country citizens, the statistics in Turkey also do not reveal anything to the contrary of this case. However, 44% of the society believe that they are more inclined towards committing crimes. Another data points out again the distance between the host community and the Syrians. 55% of the society do not want their children to become friends with Syrians. This ratio ranks at the third place following homosexual individuals and groups supporting FETO (Fethullah Gülen Terrorist Organisation).

 

The issue should be handled with a humanitarian perspective

On one hand the Syrians that we live with and will live with and on the other hand the increasing tension reveal that a fault line of great significance for the future of our country is being formed. We have to become aware in time and through realistic policies we should prevent the formation of a heap of issues that will consume our country’s energy. We should be able to ensure through the maturity of a host country that the Syrians integrate into the life and culture of our country and their presence to become not a burden but a source of new diversity and energy. We should not permit formation of a Turkish – Syrian conflict like the formation of the Turkish – Kurdish issue in the past times. We should support cohesion not hostility in our cities, neighbourhoods and streets. Political preferences, positions and arguments should not forestall human development principles.

We should use the language of cohesion against othering and antagonising

The issue of the Syrians in our country requires first of all taking stance in line with humanitarian principles instead of making comments based on political positions. The attitudes and acts that collectively criminalise and antagonise religious or ethnic groups as a whole had been determinative in experiencing many painful incidents in the history of the world and of our country. The language used by the persons and organisations that have the possibility of influencing the public to be in support of cohesion is one of the most significant ways to prevent tensions.

We invite all political parties, media organisations, opinion leaders, and all who declare opinion in regards to the issue to use a language that alleviates tensions and supports social cohesion.

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In Cooperation with EBRD, INGEV has started “Business Development Mentorship for Syrian Companies” project

In Cooperation with EBRD, İNGEV has Launched “Business Development Mentorship for Syrian Companies” Project

İNGEV hold an inauguration meeting of Business Development Mentorship for Syrian Companies project which has launched with the support of EBRD (European Bank of Reconstruction and Development) with an active participation.

Opening speeches of the meeting were made by the İNGEV’s president Vural Çakır and EBRD National Programme Manager Serpil Çetinçift. In the follow up session, İNGEV’s Director and advisory board member Berk Çoker informed participants about the details of the project.

The project, which brings together Syrian SMEs from various sectors in Istanbul and Mersin, and mentors who are prominent representatives in their sectors aims to introduce new business networks. In addition, the project supports the capacity increasing activities in the fields of advertisement, business development and sales.

What services do INGEV GDM offer?

Financial Support for Company Establishment
Our center, with the purpose of contributing to entrepreneurs in establishing their companies and putting their business ideas into practice, provides assistance through the company registration processes. We also cover the registration costs and provide free of charge accounting services for the 3 months of following the company registration.

Support Line in Arabic
Through this support hotline, we answer entrepreneurs’ inquiries on registrations, management, legal and financial legislation in Turkey, employment, loans and incentives.

Consultancy Support to SMEs
Our expert team of consultants provides legal, financial, business development, sales- marketing and IT consultancy. At our center in Istanbul, we offer free-of-charge consultancy services to entrepreneurs via face-to-face meetings and video conferences.

Access to Business Networks
We organize networking activities for companies established by Syrians with the participation of Turkish companies for creating business networks, forming cooperative links for their supply-chains and sharing experience and know-how to improve their capacities.

Dimensions of Cyber Violence

INGEV TAM completed the research report on Cyber ​​Violence. The research report is based on a field study shows that Turkey has low level of awareness on Cyber Violence. Individuals are unaware that som3 of their online experiences may constitute cyber violence. We are at a stage where smart phone availability is rapidly engulfing the whole society and the age of use is getting lower. This trend will continue. The INGEV TAM Cyber ​​Violence Awareness Report gives us a road map about our current stage. According to the research, 73% of the public stated that they did not know or knew little about behaviors that would be defined as Cyber ​​Violence. Raising awareness, preventing unintentional cyber violence or inability to use defense and protection options in cases of cyber violence are the crucial starting steps in the fight against cyber violence. INGEV plans a campaign to raise awareness by evaluating the various dimensions in the report.

Syrian Perception in Society

Turkey plays a key role for Syrian refugees and hosts 3,7 million Syrian refugees. A population of this size, of course, brings about many issues and especially social cohesion is very essential. Stable strategies, clear applications and large resources are needed. In addition to these efforts for refugees, the attitudes and behaviors of the host nationals are very significant. Particular attention needs to be paid to the tensions that may occur in a period when our country is going through the economic hardship and unemployment reaches high levels. There is a need for political parties and opinion leaders to approach the issue with extraordinary care. Political parties and leaders should not be provocative and use harmonious language. INGEV TAM  evaluated our society’s Syrian perception in a research report based on fieldwork. Our report shows that relations between Turkey and Syrian citizens are considered to be one of the most strained social relations. Due to the sensitivity of the subject, it is only shared with organizations that may be directly related.

The Right Opportunities for Women’s Employment

The unemployment rate in Turkey is very high. Although, women’s participation in employment is almost 30 percent, this rate falls to 17 percent in non-agricultural employment. For Syrian women, participation in working life is much more complex and multidimensional. Vocational training is provided for Syrians through many funds. It is very important that these trainings do not lead to new and even unregistered competition in the labor market. On the other hand, we should also see the danger that vocational training for Syrians will fall into repetition and may not succeed. Therefore, education and employment-oriented activities should proceed in a selective and goal-oriented manner that minimizes these drawbacks. Save The Children is one of the most sensitive organizations in this respect. Now INGEV, with the support of Save The Children, is conducting an analysis of labor opportunities that protects Syrian women.

The Image of Non-Govermental Organizations

Non-governmental organizations play a key role for healthy social development and peaceful democracy. It is possible for NGOs to contribute to the social life of individuals and make decisions together with society. NGOs can also play an important role in solving many problems that the public has difficulty in intervening. In some European countries, in order to be elected as a member of the parliament, a candidate has to have work experience in a NGO. In our country, NGOs with technician quality and supra-politics are developing. However, it is also known that number of NGOs intertwined with politics have increased and such NGOs have easier access to public resources. On the other hand, the fact that some NGOs played a role in the preparation of the July 15 attack on democracy was a depressing problem for the public image of NGOs. INGEV TAM has prepared a research report on the image of NGOs in public.The report reveals that the percentage of those who believe that non-governmental organizations benefit the society and that those who do not believe in society are distributed by almost half and half. This research will provide ample opportunity to generate significant inferences.

Syrian Companies Needs’ Analysis is Completed

Having sustainable livelihoods for Syrians is one of the most important issues of our country. Besides improving country-wide economy and employment, it is important especially when it comes to exporting to Arabic speaking countries and improving the relationship with Syrian diaspora. INGEV Social Research Center (TAM) completed a needs analysis based on interviews with 130 Syrian companies. This study was funded by INGEV TAM. According to previous studies, there has been progress in financial coverage, but entering the Turkish business eco system remains a fundamental need. Syrian Companies emphasize the need for new sources for capital in Turkey (58%) and access to new customers (45%). The report summary will soon be available on the INGEV website.

Our Syrian Companies Database is improving

Companies and businesses established with Syrian capital are important to strengthen social cohesion. In recent years, most foreign based established companies in our country are by Syrians. Taking these into consideration, INGEV Social Research Center (TAM) conducted a study updating the database of Syrian companies. Accordingly, the contact details of a total of 6,106 companies were updated by scanning. The development of the database will allow the projects for Syrian SMEs to proceed more effectively.