Seda Nur Atılkan tells 12punto about the systematic violence she endured: 'I knew my death was coming'

Sinem Nazlı Demir - 12punto.com.tr

Editor's note – Trigger warning: This report contains detailed accounts of severe physical violence, attempted murder, threats, and substance abuse.

Seda Nur Atılkan announced in a social media post on August 24 that she had been subjected to systematic violence for years by her husband, U. Atılkan, and that he had attempted to kill her on the night of August 21.

Seda's post, which reached the public with the words, "You might have watched me on the news as a victim of femicide, but I did not die," spread rapidly on social media. Atılkan requested support from the public to ensure the safety of herself and her children. Seda Nur Atılkan spoke to 12punto about everything she experienced from the early years of her marriage to the final attack.

THE FIRST SEVERE VIOLENCE BEGAN DURING PREGNANCY

Seda stated that they married in 2014 and that there was no physical violence during the first six years of the marriage, but that her husband was a constant drug user. Stating that she was subjected to severe violence for the first time while pregnant with her first child, Seda described that day as follows:

"He beat me. That day, my head hit the bottom of the door, I suffered a severe blow, and I lost consciousness."

Seda said that they moved to another city during the final stages of her pregnancy and that U. Atılkan began using a different illicit substance there, adding that the pressure and restrictions on her increased along with his substance use. U. Atılkan began preventing Seda from leaving the house by saying, "You cannot go out without my permission, you are a mother now." After the violence and restrictions escalated, Seda returned to her family, but she explained that after every separation, her husband would follow her to her family's home, claim he was remorseful, and apologize.

A FINE WAS ISSUED IN THE FIRST VIOLENCE CASE

Seda stated that a lawsuit was filed after the first incident of severe violence and that two hearings were held. She recounted that the judge told U. Atılkan, "Let this be the last time. I will not forgive you again. There are already medical reports of battery; thank your wife." U. Atılkan did not serve prison time and was sentenced to a fine. However, after the sentence was handed down, he told Seda, "Because of you, I have to pay money now."

Seda said she became pregnant with her second child during the coronavirus pandemic and that her husband continued to use substances during this period. Stating that she was subjected to violence all night long one night, Seda sent a message to her sister to ask for help. Her sister sent police to the door. However, U. Atılkan did not allow her to open the door and threatened to take her children away:

"He told me, 'I will take the children from you. You will say you are fine.' He kept me away from the door and made me talk to the police. I had to tell the police I was fine. They left, and no action was taken."

SHE LIVED WITH HER TWO CHILDREN IN A LOCKED HOUSE

Seda and U. Atılkan later moved to Istanbul. Seda said that the entrance to their house in Istanbul was only through the garage and that her husband would lock them inside when he went out. Recounting that U. Atılkan told her, "You will not step outside the door, everything is forbidden to you," Seda was left alone in the house with her two children and could not go out without U. Atılkan. Seda explained that for the last four years, U. Atılkan had subjected her to violence almost every night for various reasons. Furthermore, U. Atılkan installed an application on his own phone to monitor Seda's phone. Seda said that everything that came to her phone reached her husband first and only reached her after he gave permission.

SHE ESCAPED BY HANDING HER CHILDREN TO HER SISTER FROM THE BALCONY

Seda, who has many medical reports of battery, called her sister one day after the severe violence incidents increased. When her sister arrived at the house by taxi, she handed her children to her from the balcony, thus escaping the house and going to her family. However, U. Atılkan and his father followed her. U. Atılkan's father threatened Seda, saying, "You have to accept your husband this way," and Seda was manipulated into returning home, where she was unable to go anywhere alone for four years; she was not allowed to speak to her neighbors or her family. When U. Atılkan went out of town, he organized his own family to act as "guards" over Seda.

SHE WENT TO A WOMEN'S SHELTER AND OBTAINED A RESTRAINING AND CONFIDENTIALITY ORDER

One day when U. Atılkan was out of town, Seda went to a women's shelter and filed a complaint against her husband. However, stating that it became increasingly difficult to stay with children at the shelter after a while, Seda called her mother to ask to leave and returned to her family. During this process, Seda obtained a restraining and confidentiality order for the first time. Despite this, Seda stated that U. Atılkan continued to manipulate and pressure her through their children, and she explained that she was eventually forced to return home:

"I had to return, I knew my death was coming."

Seda was only taken out of the house twice after returning, and both times were to force her to withdraw her complaints against U. Atılkan. The violence that had been going on for years turned into an attempted murder on the night of August 21.

HE ATTACKED SAYING, "THIS IS OUR LAST DAY"

Seda described what happened on the night of August 21 as follows:

"U. Atılkan drank alcohol and used an illicit substance again. Then he started to subject me to violence again. He said, 'This is our last day.' First, he tried to strangle me by wrapping a charging cable and then his belt around my neck. I received a heavy blow to my head and was left breathless for a long time. During this time, he said, 'My God, I am cleansing my honor,' and kept reciting the shahada. When I was breathless, I thought I was dying, but I survived. When he saw I wasn't dead, he continued to punch me in the face. Later, showing his knife, he said, 'This is my last resort.'"

SHE ESCAPED WHEN HE WENT TO CLEAN THE BLOOD OFF HIMSELF

Seda managed to escape after U. Atılkan left the room to clean the blood off himself:

"He left the room to clean the blood off himself. I saw this as my last chance to escape and left the house. I took refuge with my neighbors. I told them, 'My husband tried to kill me.' After the report, police teams arrived at the scene. The police took U. Atılkan into custody. Later, they took me to the hospital, and my husband's family also came to the hospital. My father-in-law leaned into my ear and said, 'My daughter, do not file a complaint.' Upon this, a police officer took him outside and said, 'What you are doing is a crime.' My first statement was taken at the hospital, and an investigation was launched into the incident. U. Atılkan spent the night in detention. The next day, he was arrested and sent to prison."

"I DO NOT WANT TO BE THREATENED THROUGH MY CHILDREN OR TO DIE"

Seda stated that after she announced what she had been through on social media on August 24, U. Atılkan's father contacted her again and continued to threaten her by saying he could get his son out of prison. Stating that her face was rendered unrecognizable after the violence she suffered, Seda is also experiencing hearing loss due to the blows she received to her head:

"I was unrecognizable. I suffered hearing loss due to the blows to my head. I still feel the effect of the blow on the back of my head, and my dizziness continues. I want justice to be served. I call on the public to support my case. I do not want to be threatened through my children or to die."

Seda and her family have launched a legal battle to ensure U. Atılkan receives the punishment he deserves and is not released during this process. The family is requesting support from the public to raise awareness for their case.

WHERE CAN WOMEN SUBJECTED TO VIOLENCE APPLY?

In case of an emergency, the 112 Emergency Call Center can be dialed. The Ministry of Interior integrated KADES into the HAYAT 112 Emergency Mobile Notification Application in 2026. Location-based distress calls can be sent through the application.

• 112 Emergency Call Center: Emergency police, gendarmerie, and medical support.
• Alo 183 Social Support Line: 24/7 free guidance and counseling for women who are subjected to violence or are at risk of violence.
• Alo 183 WhatsApp line: Messages can be sent 24/7 to 0501 183 0 183.
• Alo 183 for the hearing and speech impaired: 0549 381 0 183.
• ŞÖNİM: Violence Prevention and Monitoring Centers provide guidance on psychological, legal, social, and economic support, as well as shelter in 81 provinces.
• Mor Çatı Women's Shelter Foundation: 0212 292 52 31-32. The foundation can be reached on weekdays between 10:00 and 16:30.
• Domestic Violence Emergency Hotline: 0212 656 96 96 or 0549 656 96 96.
• We Will Stop Femicide Platform contact number: 0212 912 42 43
• The IBB Women's Support Line number is 444 80 86 and provides 24/7 service.