Spiritual Counsellors Recommended to be ‘Sensitive to Sexual Orientation, Identity’

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The Presidency of Religious Affairs has recently defined the National Occupational Standards for Spiritual Counsellors. Among the standards listed is also "being sensitive to the sexual orientations and sexual identities of the ones who receive service."

In the National Occupational Standards prepared by the Presidency of Religious Affairs, the job descriptions, duties and success criteria of the sixth level spiritual counsellors, who will be employed in student dormitories, educational institutions, youth centers and camps, penal institutions, medical institutions and social service organizations, have been listed.

Among the attitudes and behavior standards foreseen for the spiritual counsellors is also "being sensitive to social, cultural, ethnic and sexual orientations, sexual identities and disabilities."

The stakeholders in the sector are expected to submit their evaluations regarding the standards jointly prepared by the Vocational Qualification Institution and the Presidency of Religious Affairs until October 5.

The document will be put into its final form based on the evaluations submitted by the related stakeholders. (ÇT/SD)