* Photo: Social media - "Child speaks, you listen and prevent abuse"
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A criminal complaint has been filed against the related officials and police officers after 10-year-old Ö.D., who was sexually assaulted by Nizamettin Ş. in Turkey's eastern province of Ağrı, was attempted to be taken to medical examination by specialized operations police.
CLICK - 'They came with special operations police to take the child to medical examination'
The petition prepared by attorney Hande Gündoğdu from the Women and Children First Association demands that the related police officers and officials stand trial for "neglect of duty" and "misconduct in office."
'It was almost announced to the neighborhood'
In her petition submitted to the prosecutor's office, Gündoğdu has noted that the child underwent physical and psychological examination on July 19, 2020 and the ensuing medical reports have been added to the file of the investigation conducted by the Ağrı Chief Public Prosecutor's Office.
Against this backdrop, the petition has indicated, "...almost a month after this, on August 8, police vehicles, several uniformed police officers and ambulances were sent to the child's home before noon hours, the child was forcibly taken from his/her house without no explanation to the family as to the legal grounds or aim of this action and s/he was taken to physical and psychological examination. The child was - in a sense - taken from his/her home by announcing it to the whole neighborhood."
'It was an attempt to intimidate the family'
Attorney Gündoğdu has also noted that while all these were happening, the family informed them about the incident.
"Considering that no explanation was made as to the legal grounds, authority or aim underlying this action and that the way s/he was taken from the home in police vehicles, as if s/he had been a criminal, and brought to physical examination would lead to a trauma on the part of the child, the examination was not allowed to take place," the petition has read further.
It has been further emphasized that the incident in question has not only aggravated the trauma of the child but also has an intimidating impact on the family. Indicating that the child was taken from the home like that and brought to the Ağrı Public Hospital, the petition has noted that there are no orders or instructions for such an action in the investigation file.
"We made an inquiry at the courthouse, considering the possibility that there might be another file about the child; however, no file has been encountered," the petition of the attorney has underlined further.
Concluding the petition, attorney Gündoğdu has stressed that "the child has been aggrieved again" as a result of this action.
CHP follows the case as well
On the other side, after the news was published on bianet, main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) Vice Chair and Denizli MP Gülizar Biçer-Karaca talked to the family and attorneys of the child to follow the judicial process in person. "We will follow this issue. Similar news comes from all across Turkey. We will always stand with the family to ensure that they will get over this process with minimum harm," she has noted.
Men abused at least 300 children in 2 years
According to news compiled by bianet from local and national newspapers, websites and agencies, men abused 161 children in the first seven months of 2020 and 139 children in the first seven months of 2019. The number of children abused by men in the last two years is at least 300. (EMK/SD)
