Children represent the entrusted future of our world. Recognizing them as individuals, respecting their rights, and ensuring their protection against all forms of psychological, physical, and commercial exploitation constitute our primary responsibility.

The World Health Organization (WHO) defines child abuse as follows:
“Any act, whether intentional or unintentional, committed by an adult, society, or the state that adversely affects a child’s health or physical and psychosocial development, constitutes maltreatment of the child.”

To ensure the effective implementation of this principle, Sura Concept Hotel undertakes the following commitments:

• Under no circumstances shall child labor be tolerated within our organization. We expect all business partners to adopt the same level of diligence.
• We organize awareness-raising training sessions and support relevant initiatives and projects aimed at the protection of children’s rights.
• In the event of witnessing any suspicious acts involving children, employees are required to promptly notify hotel management, and, where necessary, seek support from official authorities.

In line with our policy, we respectfully request that our esteemed guests and staff:

• Do not leave children under the age of 12 unattended in hotel rooms.
• Do not leave the hotel premises after entrusting your children to unfamiliar individuals.
• Do not permit the consumption of alcoholic beverages by persons under the age of 18.
• Demonstrate due respect for children’s rights.
• Refrain from all forms of behavior that may constitute child neglect or abuse.
• Immediately report to hotel management any person engaging in conduct contrary to the rights and well-being of children.

All complaints received will be thoroughly assessed, and where deemed necessary, law enforcement authorities will be notified by hotel management to initiate appropriate legal proceedings.
In accordance with national and international legislation, child abuse is a criminal offense subject to penal sanctions, including imprisonment.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this directive is to define the activities to be implemented at Sura Concept Hotel in order to raise awareness regarding child abuse and to ensure the protection of children from any form of exploitation.

SCOPE

This policy applies to all situations involving guests under the age of 18 who are staying at our hotel.

DEFINITIONS

• Child Abuse: Any act—intentional or unintentional—by an adult, society, or the state that negatively affects the health, physical or psychosocial development of a child within the 0–18 age group.
• Physical Abuse: Injury or harm caused to a child by an adult, other than by accident.
• Sexual Abuse: The use of a child for sexual arousal or gratification, forcing the child into prostitution, or using the child in pornographic or similar criminal activities.
• Emotional Abuse: The infliction of psychological harm through denial of attention, love, or care that the child requires.
• Economic Exploitation: A situation in which the person responsible for the child uses the child as a source of income or seeks to gain material benefit from the child.

RESPONSIBILITIES

All departments are responsible for the implementation of this directive. In addition, security personnel are responsible for applying the visitor instruction for incoming guests, under the knowledge and direction of the Security and Administrative Affairs Supervisor.

PROCEDURAL FLOW

Human Resources

• Human Resources shall organize at least one annual training session on “Protecting Children’s Rights.”

Front Office

• In accordance with Article 2 of the Turkish Identification Notification Law No. 1774, copies of identification cards or passports are obtained from all guests staying at the hotel. Arrival and departure records, along with identification documents, are submitted to the local law enforcement authorities or made available for inspection as required.

Additional Procedures and Responsibilities Regarding the Protection of Children

The aforementioned identification procedures also apply to underage guests.
In the event that a suspicious circumstance is detected during check-in regarding the identity documents or passports of children accompanying both domestic and international guests (e.g., forged documents, fake passports, mismatching surnames or photographs), the Front Office Manager shall be informed immediately to initiate further action. The General Manager of the hotel must also be notified without delay, and if deemed necessary, the guest shall be asked to provide further details concerning the child.

• If a reservation or room check-in is observed involving a minor under the age of 18 who does not share the same surname and is not accompanied by a family member, the Front Office Manager shall be notified.
• During check-in, if any guest accompanied by a minor under the age of 18 displays abnormal clothing or behavior, the matter must immediately be reported to the Front Office Manager and the Security Manager, and the guest must be monitored throughout their stay.
• Child guests are only permitted to stay in the hotel if they are sharing a room with at least one adult. Regardless of the relationship, it is strictly prohibited for any guest to accept visitors (including children) without informing hotel management.

All Departments

In all areas of the hotel (guest rooms, public spaces, mini/teenage club), if it is observed or suspected that a guest under the age of 18 has been exposed to any of the following, the department supervisor must be informed without delay. If unreachable, the Security Manager shall be notified:

• Physical or verbal violence/abuse (this may be committed by parents, relatives, hotel staff, caregivers, or other guests)
• Children being locked in or kept inside the room for prolonged periods
• Forcing children to carry out adult responsibilities or tasks without consideration of their special needs
• Sexual abuse or exposure to pornographic material
• Child prostitution
• Leaving minors unattended on hotel premises without a parent or guardian

If you notice suspicious behavior—such as an older individual watching and waiting near a room for someone to exit, or a constant rotation of different individuals entering and exiting the same room—inform your immediate supervisor, or if unavailable, notify the Security Manager immediately.

• It is strictly prohibited to touch, kiss, or interact physically with Turkish or foreign children or babies without parental consent. While such actions may be culturally acceptable in Türkiye, they may be considered inappropriate or offensive in other cultures and may lead to serious misunderstandings—even if done with good intentions.
• No child’s physical condition, disability, or characteristics shall be the subject of ridicule or jokes. Psychological pressure or bullying is not tolerated.
• Special attention shall be paid to children with disabilities, and every effort shall be made to ensure their comfort and inclusion.
• Children shall not be addressed with nicknames or aliases unless consent is given by their guardians.
• Guests who persist in disruptive or inappropriate behavior despite warnings from hotel management may be expelled from the hotel with the approval of the General Manager or reported to legal authorities depending on the severity of the case.

RELATED DOCUMENTS

Turkish Penal Code – Article 278:
Every citizen is legally obligated to report any act of child abuse.

Article 278 – (1): Any person who fails to report an ongoing criminal act to the relevant authorities shall be subject to imprisonment for up to one year.