Prof. Dr. Sevil Atasoy: 'Violence against animals is a precursor to violence against humans!'
Recent incidents of violence against animals that have caused a great stir in society pose a major risk not only to animals but also to human safety. Prof. Dr. Sevil Atasoy, Vice Rector of Üsküdar University and Head of the Department of Forensic Sciences, emphasizes that animal abuse is a precursor to a cycle of violence that extends from domestic abuse to child exploitation and more serious crimes.
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Making important assessments regarding incidents that have caused public outcry and involve violence against animals, Prof. Dr. Sevil Atasoy said, "It is proven that the perpetrators of all kinds of violent crimes, from domestic abuse to child exploitation, assault, and even murder, have definitely shown violence toward animals before."
Atasoy stated, "Do not entrust your children to people you do not know or recognize. Do not leave your child with people you do not know, even if they are your neighbors. It is impossible to understand anyone just by looking at them from across the street."
Sevil Atasoy made important assessments regarding the incidents that have recently caused public outcry and involve violence against animals.
Stating that situations such as finding children's toys in the home of a single man who has no children, or the discovery of animal remains, point to potential dangers and should be taken seriously, Prof. Dr. Atasoy noted that the discovery of animal remains can raise concerns that human remains might also be found.
There is a very strong relationship between animal abuse and violence against humans
"In any case, there is a very strong relationship between animal abuse and violence against humans. All publications related to psychology, sociology, and criminology from the last 40 years, all publications in this field, prove that the perpetrators of all kinds of violent crimes, from domestic abuse to child exploitation, assault, and even murder, have definitely shown violence toward animals before. In other words, there is a very serious relationship between the two."
SERIAL KILLERS HAVE A HISTORY OF SERIOUS VIOLENCE AGAINST ANIMALS IN THEIR CHILDHOOD
Pointing out that there are famous serial killers in history who have killed many people, Prof. Dr. Atasoy said, "There are examples of those who have killed 10 or even 20 people. In the past, these individuals might not have been caught before committing numerous murders. However, today, thanks to the development of DNA technology and the improvement of investigation methods, it has become possible to identify perpetrators earlier before the number of murders increases. Despite this, it has been determined that almost all known serial killers had histories of serious violence against animals during their childhood. This is clearly known by experts in the field."
IN TURKEY, THOSE WHO COMMIT VIOLENT CRIMES SHOULD BE ASKED, 'DID YOU HAVE A PET?'
Explaining that those who commit violent crimes in Turkey should be asked during investigations, including those for domestic abuse, "Did you have an animal? Did you keep animals? What is your history regarding animal abuse?", the expert continued:
"We do not know scientifically what this relationship is in Turkey. We know it for the Western world. There is definitely a relationship. Finding children's toys in the home of a single man who has no children is a very dangerous event. That is a separate sign. We also know of cases where individuals lured children by placing toys in the window, invited them inside, played with them, and then killed them. If a child's toy is found in the home of a single person who has no children, and in a way that can be seen from the outside, this is a very serious sign of pedophilia. That is, it is a sign of abusive behavior toward children."
EVEN IF THEY ARE YOUR NEIGHBORS, DO NOT LEAVE YOUR CHILDREN WITH THEM!
Giving important warnings to citizens, Prof. Dr. Atasoy stated that individuals with this profile can be found everywhere (in parks, neighborhood relationships, schools, workplaces) and that it is absolutely impossible to understand them just by looking at them from the outside.
"When you look at them from the outside, even those who have committed the most severe torture, who can be from any profession," said Prof. Dr. Atasoy, "Do not entrust your children to people you do not know or recognize. Do not leave your child with people you do not know, even if they are your neighbors. It is impossible to understand anyone just by looking at them from across the street."
VIOLENCE AGAINST ANIMALS IS A SITUATION THAT MUST BE TAKEN SERIOUSLY!
Underlining that violence against animals is a situation that must be taken very seriously, Prof. Dr. Atasoy concluded her words by saying, "If there is a child who pulls the wings off a fly out of curiosity, who tortures animals out of curiosity by asking 'I wonder if it can fly?', who holds a live cat's head under water, or buries it in the ground, gouges out its eyes, cuts off its head, or cuts open its stomach, the only solution is professional support. It is absolutely impossible to prevent this by the family punishing them in any way, such as by saying 'don't go out' or 'I'll take your cell phone.' This is a psychiatric disorder and must be treated. Animal abuse at home will inevitably spread to other members of the family sooner or later."