Melike Aydın 

 

IZMIR - Expressing that the 4th Judicial Package enacted means to encourage the perpetrators, the people of Izmir argue that they have no trust to justice and that women can gain strength from women.

 

The 4th Judicial Package, which includes the regulation on violence against women and children and investigation procedures, was passed by the Grand National Assembly of Turkey (TBMM) on June 18 and became law. While many women's organizations and rights defenders oppose the article of seeking concrete evidence in sexual crimes in the law, citizens say that the law encourages the perpetrators and that it will narrow the living space of women.

We asked the people of Izmir about the article ‘seeking for concrete evidence in sexual crimes’ in the 4th Judicial Package. Here are their answers:

 

Harassment and rape unexplainable, demanding proof

 

Domestic worker Suzan Deniz: How can rape and harassment be proven? There are also children. How can children express abuse, rape? Women are afraid to express it. Especially because she is under pressure from her family, she never says it. Wrong decision. Even when a complaint is made, the state must investigate and go after it. It harms children the most.

 

It is no coincidence that the law came after the termination of the Istanbul Convention

 

Worker Naile Eskibozkurt: This law came after the Istanbul Convention was terminated. It was a big problem that it was terminated and not implemented. As a woman, I fully support the Istanbul Convention. I believe it protects all women in Turkey who scream loudly or silently. It was like the name of saying we exist too. Even men need support. The power is getting more harsh. It is no coincidence that the new law package comes after. They are trying to mute the woman's voice.

 

A woman’s supporter should be a woman

 

University graduate Sude Seçkim: The value given to women is evident from recent events. I don't understand what they are trying to do. It has become an unlivable country. Women, children, animals, plants are not valued. With this law, this situation becomes more riveted. What is clear evidence? Men were already going out for different reasons with 'good behavior'. It's all against women, we see. Women are left dependent on men. Education should be given, awareness should be raised and women should be able to stand on their feet. All women should unite, supporters of woman should be woman.

 

I do not trust the law

 

Health worker Esen Çetin: The harshest punishments should be given. But abuse emerges from the child's expression, for example, accompanied by a pedagogue. This too is proof. But I don't know if it's concrete evidence. I do not think a woman lies either. It's a very bad feeling and a woman can't say it easily either. A severe depression. I do not trust the law. Women should go for it. Women should support women, women should unite.

 

The law encourages perpetrators

 

University student Yaren Güvenmez: This is an incentive for harassers, rapists, and those who despise women. There can be no other explanation. No woman, no child is safe. I think that in today's Turkey, which completely despises women, harassment and rape were brought in order to be done legally. Women are not wanted to live free. Narrowing the living space. Much worse days await us. Everyone is in fear and we need to break this. They should not recognize the law. As a woman, I do not know what to do either. There is no one to defend the woman other than woman.

 

The Istanbul Convention should have stayed

 

Unemployed Ece Simge Kaçar: They can also eliminate the evidence. They need to care about the person's thoughts (statement). Evidence is needed somewhere. The Istanbul Convention should have stayed. They didn't do well by removing it. They blame the woman for even the simplest harassment. Like, ‘’What were you doing here at this hour?’ The coming of the law strengthens the perpetrator. They were not punished anyway.