Önce Çocuklar ve Kadınlar Derneği: 'We received dozens of child abuse reports in November'

Since 2018, the Önce Çocuklar ve Kadınlar Derneği (Children and Women First Association), which has voluntarily handled countless cases of child abuse and violence against women, operates as an association whose name we hear more and more frequently through the cases it takes on and follows up on in every sense—sometimes for a child abused in a religious dormitory, and sometimes for a woman subjected to violence by the husband she wants to divorce. Association President Müjde Tozbey uses the phrase "the struggle we wage in courthouse corridors and on intercity journeys" while answering our questions. Tozbey also adds that the association received dozens of reports and applications regarding child abuse in November alone.

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Önce Çocuklar ve Kadınlar Derneği: 'We received dozens of child abuse reports in November'

Hazal Güven - 12punto.com.tr

Setting out on December 7, 2018, and dealing with countless child abuse and violence against women cases since the day it was founded, the Önce Çocuklar ve Kadınlar Derneği has become a name mentioned almost every day due to the increasing number of cases and policies of impunity in Turkey. The association's lawyers, who sometimes stand by a woman subjected to violence by her husband and sometimes by a child abused in a religious dormitory, are making what can be called a superhuman effort to ensure that victims reach the justice they deserve.

When we ask Association President Müjde Tozbey, she says they receive hundreds of reports and requests for help on a monthly basis. So, how does the Önce Çocuklar ve Kadınlar Derneği, which currently has more than 100 active cases, keep up with all these lawsuits and the cases that increase almost every day? Association President Müjde Tozbey told 12punto...

First of all, how did you decide to establish the association?

The idea of establishing the association emerged after I had been individually involved in the struggle for the rights of women and children for many years. Unfortunately, reaching justice is very difficult, especially for disadvantaged groups. For this reason, we felt the need to establish a more systematic and effective struggle network alongside women and children. The Önce Çocuklar ve Kadınlar Derneği was born to address these shortcomings and to place the struggle for rights on a stronger foundation. In other words, we women who came together in the struggle we wage in courthouse corridors and on intercity journeys sought ways to wage this struggle more institutionally and collectively. I can say that the Önce Çocuklar ve Kadınlar Derneği was a natural result of this struggle.

How does the association work? Is there a pool, and when a lawyer volunteers, is a case directed to them from that pool?

The Önce Çocuklar ve Kadınlar Derneği works on the basis of solidarity and volunteerism. Yes, in a sense, we have a "pool" logic. Incoming reports and requests are meticulously evaluated. Then, these files are shared with suitable volunteer lawyers. Our lawyer friends are matched based more on their areas of expertise and the requirements of the case, so it is a conscious process, not a random assignment. Geographical proximity and the provinces from which the reports come are another subject of evaluation.

'WE RECEIVED DOZENS OF CHILD ABUSE REPORTS IN NOVEMBER'

How many reports and requests for help do you receive?

We receive hundreds of reports and requests for help on a monthly basis. A large portion of these relate to sexual abuse, violence against women, and violations of children's rights. We meticulously evaluate every application received and prioritize them according to their urgency. For example, last month alone, we received dozens of reports and applications regarding child abuse.

How many child abuse and violence against women cases are you actively dealing with?

We currently have more than 100 active cases. A large portion of these consist of child abuse and violence against women cases. Some of the files are still in the investigation stage, and some are being followed up in the court process. Apart from this, of course, we receive many applications concerning women and children. However, we have to limit our work to abuse, murder, and violence against women. We do this to work more efficiently and better. In addition to this, we provide scholarships to the children of women who have left us due to femicide. There is a protocol signed between us and the ÇYDD (Association for Supporting Contemporary Living). Besides this, we have a strong team of psychiatrists and psychologists. They also provide support in these processes.

What is the approach toward you when you have to communicate with authorized/official authorities?

We can encounter different reactions when we communicate with authorized authorities. In some places, we see a supportive approach, but unfortunately, we sometimes encounter resistance, especially in regions where awareness of gender equality is weak. This situation reminds us that we must continue our struggle even more decisively. However, we are persistent and always act based on the rule of law.

If Law No. 6284 were applied effectively, what would be different for the association today?

Law No. 6284 is an important legal basis for the protection of women and children against violence. It is actually officially in force. However, it is not used effectively enough in practice. If the law were fully implemented, it could provide stronger protection to prevent femicides and incidents of violence, and we could have achieved results in many cases without even needing to file them. In other words, as an association, we might have had to intervene less thanks to the effectiveness of prevention mechanisms.

'WE HAVE ENSURED THE PUNISHMENT OF MORE THAN 400 CRIMINALS TO DATE'

Do the lawyers act entirely on a voluntary basis? When traveling to another province for a case, how are expenses such as transportation and accommodation covered? Is no money requested from the victims?

Yes, our lawyers work entirely on a voluntary basis. When it is necessary to go to another province, we generally cover transportation and accommodation expenses through our association's solidarity network and incoming donations. Absolutely no fee is requested from the victims. Because our priority is to ensure justice and alleviate the burden on the victims. However, we also need these donations to take on more cases and reach more people.

Is it possible for you to share data with us with a sentence like "The Önce Çocuklar ve Kadınlar Derneği has achieved this since its establishment"?

Of course! Since the day it was founded, the Önce Çocuklar ve Kadınlar Derneği has ensured the punishment of criminals by standing by victims in more than 400 femicide and sexual abuse cases. In addition to this, we have offered social and legal support for hundreds of children to grow up in a safe environment. This is just a beginning for us. We continue to grow our struggle every day. In many examples, we have taken steps to ensure that murderers are punished in the most severe way in the murders that occurred. This also serves as a means for the legal construction of deterrence against femicides. We still have children we are in contact with. The children whose abuse cases we took on years ago, who say "I'm glad I acted bravely" today, are now part of life; they have grown up. Sharing that courage is very valuable. Many women-murderers who want to use their local influence or their ties to the government as a trump card are in prison today. There are so many examples that it is truly overwhelming. Each one is perhaps a separate story and a separate news topic.

News Source: Hazal Güven