Citation

Egemen A. Entre Nous Cph. Den. 1992; (21): 11.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1992, Women's and Reproductive Health Unit, WHO Regional Office for Europe)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

12222333

Abstract

In 1985-86 the Turkish criminal courts surveyed cases to determine the extent of child abuse among different socioeconomic and cultural groups in Istanbul, Ankara, and Izmir. The findings showed that 46% (701) were cases of sexual abuse. 68.3% (479) were cases of rape and attempted rape. 1.4% were for incitement to prostitution. The offenders were men and the victims were girls (54.1%) and boys (45.9%). There were cases involving boys 7 years of age. 32.8% of offenders were 18 years and 47.2% 21 years old. Most offenders were relatives or near neighbors; many were from low socioeconomic groups. The present system is not set up to treat victims of physical or emotional child abuse who become outcasts. The Turkish Association of Child Abuse and Neglect was established in 1986 to educate families and train specialists concerned with the health of children. Formal sex education is not taught in the schools. Although Turkish people are bashful about talking openly about sex and case investigation is hampered by family privacy and intimacy, people react sensitively and severely when the offense is known. The Turkish penal code stipulates imprisonment for offenders of not less than 5 years for offenses against children 15 years old. Culture acts to prevent sexual exploitation to some extent because remaining a virgin is still valued. In dealing with this complex problem, those seeking to protect children must remember that it is a traditional culture where parents, relatives, and close friends touch, kiss, hug, and caress as natural behavior.

Language: en