Juvenile Protection Law in Turkey

Failure to report an ongoing crime to the relevant authority.

In Turkey, a person who fails to report a crime in progress or fails to report a crime that has occurred but whose consequences can still be limited faces a potential prison sentence of up to one year.

If the victim of a crime is a child under 15, a physically or mentally disabled person, or a pregnant woman who cannot defend herself, the penalty for failing to report the crime is increased by one half.

A public officer who fails to report or delays in reporting a crime that requires a public investigation and prosecution faces a prison sentence of six months to two years.

If the crime was committed by a judicial law enforcement officer, the penalty for a public officer failing to report the crime is increased by one half.

A medical professional who fails to report or delays in reporting a crime they become aware of while performing their duties can face a prison sentence of up to one year.

The concept of

The Juvenile Protection Law in Turkey aims to ensure the rights and well-being of juveniles who are in need of protection or who are pushed to crime.

A juvenile in need of protection is a young person under 18 whose physical, mental, moral, social, or emotional well-being is at risk due to neglect, abuse, or victimization.

A juvenile pushed to crime is a young person under 18 who is under investigation or prosecution for committing a crime, or has been subject to a security measure for their actions.

The Reporting stage involves notifying authorities about suspected cases of abuse or neglect of children. It requires reasonable cause to believe that a child is at risk.

Intervention involves taking action to investigate and address suspected cases of abuse or neglect. This includes interviewing the child, conducting physical exams, and potentially referring the case to court.

Treatment/Rehabilitation focuses on providing support and therapy for children who have been victims of abuse or neglect, helping them heal and rebuild their lives.

Forensic Interviewing is a specialized technique used to gather information from children in a way that minimizes trauma and maximizes the accuracy of their statements.

Child Advocacy Centers (CACs) are dedicated facilities that provide multidisciplinary support to child victims of sexual abuse. They offer a safe environment and expert services for investigation and treatment.

The Juvenile Protection Law in Turkey aims to protect children and ensure their safety and well-being. It defines the roles and responsibilities of different authorities in dealing with cases of child abuse, neglect, and crime.

Child Advocacy Centers (CACs) are designed to minimize the trauma experienced by child abuse victims, particularly during the forensic process. They aim to provide a comprehensive support system for the child and their family.

Before the establishment of CACs, children often found themselves repeating their traumatic experiences to multiple professionals, leading to potential secondary emotional abuse.

CACs employ a multidisciplinary team of professionals, including forensic interviewers, medical personnel, and social workers, to provide a holistic approach to child abuse cases.

Forensic interviews at CACs aim to gather information about the abuse in a child-friendly and supportive way, minimizing further trauma to the child.

An important aspect of CACs is their 24/7 availability. They provide immediate support and a safe environment for children who need it.

Physical examinations are conducted at CACs with the child's full consent and are meticulously recorded as evidence for legal processes.

The establishment of CACs in Turkey has improved the coordination and response to child sexual abuse cases, ensuring better support for both the child and their family.

CACs offer a centralized, multidisciplinary approach to child abuse cases, promoting the child's well-being and ensuring a more effective and humane response.

This measure focuses on providing guidance to caregivers and juveniles on various issues related to child development, education, and problem-solving.

This intervention aims to ensure that juveniles attend educational institutions, vocational training programs, or are placed in public or private sector workplaces for job acquisition and skill development.

This measure involves placing juveniles in government-run or private care centers, foster families, or under the care of such institutions when caregivers are unable to fulfill their responsibilities.

This measure aims to provide necessary medical care, rehabilitation, and treatment for juveniles' physical and mental well-being, including intervention for substance abuse.

This measure provides safe shelter for individuals with children who lack adequate housing or for pregnant women facing danger.

The first stage of the process involves receiving a notification about the alleged abuse and then taking the child victim into the care of Emniyet Çocuk Şube.

Emniyet Çocuk Şube, a specialized unit, follows a protocol that involves notifying authorities like Savcılık (prosecutor's office), Baro (attorney's association), Aile ve Soysal Hizmetler Bakanlığı İl Müdürlüğü (Ministry of Family and Social Services), and the child's family (if they are not suspects).

The child victim is then transported to ÇİM (Çocuk İzlem Merkezi) for forensic interviewing and examination.

The best interests of the child principle requires that all decisions concerning children prioritize their well-being, respecting their rights, dignity, freedom, and equal treatment.

Children's disclosures of sexual abuse are often influenced by their age, individual traits, family dynamics, and cultural norms.

Spontaneous reports of sexual abuse from children are generally considered truthful and accurate. If a child tells you about abuse without prompting, it's important to take their account seriously and report it to the relevant authorities.

To ensure children are not identified or stigmatized, all procedures involving them must be managed confidentially. Information should only be shared with authorized individuals and handled with care.

The Convention on the Rights of the Child emphasizes that a child's best interests should be the primary consideration in all decisions concerning them. This principle is rooted in Article 3 of the Convention.

The Juvenile Protection Law in Turkey aims to protect the rights and well-being of children who are in need of protection or who are at risk of being pushed to crime.

The Juvenile Protection Law emphasizes the importance of protecting children's interests and well-being, recognizing it as a fundamental principle.

To ensure children's privacy during legal proceedings, precautions are taken to prevent their identity from being revealed. These measures protect them from potential stigma or harm.

Children who have been abused may delay telling others about it for various reasons, such as fear, shame, or not understanding that the abuse is wrong.

Open-ended questions are best for gathering information from a child who may have been abused. These questions encourage them to provide full and detailed answers, rather than just a simple yes or no.

The interviewer's empathetic approach, sincerity, and respect are crucial for building trust and a safe environment for a child who is disclosing abuse.

The environment where a child discloses abuse should be quiet, neutral, and safe to minimize stress and promote open communication.

A child disclosing abuse should receive factual questions, not ones that seek personal opinions or judgments.

The interviewer should ask relevant questions during the disclosure process to get essential information but avoid interrupting the child's narrative.

Asking open-ended questions that encourage free expression can help a child share their experience without feeling pressured to give specific answers.

Closed-ended questions that have a simple yes or no answer are beneficial for clarifying specifics but should be used sparingly during the disclosure process.