The Office of the Public Prosecutor authorizes forensic sexual assault exams in Turkey.  The police or gendarmerie takes the victim to the authorized government hospital.  According to Turkish law, the local police chief or another authorized officer must interview the victim in sexual assault cases. It is possible that the interview will be conducted by multiple officers.  As this exam is requested by the public prosecutor, the victim pays no fee. Normally rape/sexual assault charges cannot be filed without an exam unless there is other supporting evidence.

Review the list of local doctors if you would like to get further treatment or tests.  Emergency contraception is available in Turkey at pharmacies and can be bought without a prescription.

Spousal rape is a crime under the Turkish Criminal Code and the victim may file a complaint with the public prosecutor in order to start criminal procedures. In Turkey, there are no specific regulations on the protection of sexual assault victims.  The public prosecutor or judge may decide on specific protection depending on the case.  In these types of cases, generally the court closes the hearing to the public.

• 183 is the “Social Support Hotline” can be reached 24/7. Responds to rape and sexual assault crises. However, operators may not speak English.  To reach the police, please dial 155 (in Turkey).
• RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network).  You can contact RAINN at +1 800-656-HOPE (4673) and also through their website online chat: https://ohl.rainn.org/online/.  RAINN can help connect you to a rape crisis center in your area.
• U.S. Department of Justice Office on Violence against Women – Information about local sexual assault victim assistance coalitions.

Domestic violence and child abuse are crimes in Turkey and should be reported to the police. A domestic violence hotline exists, and its phone numbers are 90-212-656-9696 and 90-549-656-9696.

Additional resources are listed below.  The agencies and organizations listed have not been vetted by the U.S. Department of State or any other federal agency.

• Purple Roof Women Shelter Foundation is another organization that provides shelter for domestic violence victims which is located in Istanbul.
• Ankara Women Support Foundation (Kadin Dayanisma Vakfi) provide phycological and legal support.
• Cankaya Municipality Women Shelter provides phycological and legal support, and shelter.
• International Directory of Domestic Violence Agencies – Global list of abuse hotlines, shelters, refuges, crisis centers, and women’s organizations, plus domestic violence information in over 90 languages.
• Learn Psychology – An excellent guide to understanding and preventing violence of all kinds.

The Bureau of Consular Affairs, and Consular offices in Turkey receive calls daily from U.S. citizens who are victims of scams.  Many times, the citizens do not realize that they have been scammed.  Use the online resources below to help identify common scams.  In general, if someone who you have never met asks you for money, you should not give them money until you have verified their claims in person.

• Common Scams and Frauds: Find information on common scams and frauds that can happen to you.
• International Financial Scams: Find information on financial scams.
• Romance Scams: Find more about romance and internet dating scams.
• Housing Scams: Beware of these frauds and scams when buying or foreclosing on a home.
• Identify and Report Scams and Frauds: Learn how to identify and report frauds and scams.
• Identity Theft: How to protect yourself against identity theft and respond if it happens.
• Online Safety: Be aware of these scams when you’re online.
• Privacy: Learn about protecting your personal information from unwanted use.

Social services is the responsible authority for the protection of children in Turkey. The Children’s Police assist local public prosecutors during the investigation.  Anyone who suspects child abuse can report it to the police.  Doctors and psychiatrists are obliged to report any kind of child abuse to the public prosecutor.  An abused child may be placed at the Society for the Protection of Children.  Social Services officers are the authorized persons for taking a child’s testimony.  A child’s testimony may be read during the trial process; however the child does not have to be present in the hearings or during any part of the trial process.

 

Turkey does not have a victim compensation program and does not provide monetary compensation to crime victims.  On a case by case basis, the court may order the perpetrator to pay restitution.  You may also file a civil suit for damages.

You may be eligible for victim’s assistance in the state in which you reside. Please see the following links to determine what resources might be available to you.

• Office for Victims of Crime
• National Organization for Victim Assistance

Reporting Crimes

Victims or witnesses of crimes should report them to the police station or gendarmerie (in rural areas) in the judicial district, as soon as possible after the crime occurs. Many police or gendarmerie stations may not have an English-speaking officer, and the procedures often take several hours.  You may also inform the Embassy or Consulate; consular personnel may assist you, but cannot act as interpreters or give legal advice.  Consult the list of attorneys to identify an English-speaking attorney.

If you are not able to report the crime in the same judicial district in Turkey where it occurred, you may go to the nearest Public Prosecutor office to submit your complaint. The Public Prosecutor is required to take your report regardless of where the crime occurred in Turkey and regardless of your nationality or residency.

Attorneys

Local legal procedures in Turkey differ from those in the United States, and local attorneys may assist victims or suspects in legal matters.  Although the Public Prosecutor is responsible for prosecuting your cases, an attorney can promote the client’s interests with the police and the court.  The list of attorneys who have expressed interested in representing U.S. citizens is available by following this link.

Investigations

In Turkey, crime investigations may not always result in the arrest of a suspect. The Public Prosecutor is responsible for investigating crimes.  After you file your report at the police or gendarmerie station, the Public Prosecutor might ask for your forensic evidence such as fingerprints or photographs. You may hire a to follow the progress of an investigation as well as inform the Embassy or Consulate.  Based on the circumstances, investigations may be lengthy, and based on the evidence the Public Prosecutor will decide to detain or arrest the suspect.

Arrest

Current Turkish law allows authorities to detain subjects for several days during an investigation, before an official arrest warrant is issued.  If you are a victim or witness to a crime, the police may ask you to identify the suspect.

Pre-Trial

Once making an arrest, authorities in Turkey may hold suspects prior to a trial.

Trial

Duration of criminal trials in Turkey can be lengthy, many last between one to three years.  Normally, all hearings are open to the public unless there is a court restriction.  The court can provide an interpreter for foreign suspects.  There is no jury system in Turkish criminal law.  There are some traditions and rules concerning the hearings which differ from those in the United States.  For example, a judge may consider the behavior and attire of the suspect during the hearings when determining the penalty imposed.  Standing up when the judge enters the courtroom is commonplace in courts in Turkey.  The suspect or defending lawyer must ask the judge’s permission before making statements.

Sentencing

Courts normally hand down the sentence, if there is a guilty finding, in the same hearing it announces the verdict. Turkish law stipulates that courts notify victims in the case of transfer or release of the accused.

Appeals

The accused has the right to appeal the court decision. The appeal process can be lengthy, and depending on the circumstances, the accused may stay in prison during the appeal process.