Publisher apologizes for sexual assault scene in children’s book: ‘It was by mistake’

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Published by Arı Sanat (Pure Art) Publishing House and penned by Musa Dinç, the children's book entitled "Gül ve Düşün" (Smile and Think) has sparked an outrage due to its scenes of sexual assault.

Amid these reactions and criticisms, the author and the publishing house have announced that the sale of the book was halted. While the book in question also has some remarks legitimizing rape, the publishing house has made the following statement about the issue:

"The book in question was a publication edited by the author himself and closed to sale and distribution over this issue in 2019. It is a publication which is outside our line of publication and was published by mistake and it was withdrawn from sale afterwards. Yes, the book looks 'for sale' on some pages; but when it is requested from us, the book is not available.

"We contacted the necessary places in 2019, informing that the publication was taken off the shelves; however, there are still some pages that still have not removed it. We will also do the necessary about it.

"We published the 4th edition, but the previous editions did not belong to the Arı Sanat Publishing House. We apologize to our readers."

Publisher: Abolish the İstanbul Convention

While the publishing house has announced that it has taken legal action about the issue, its social media pages have posts that say, "Abolish the İstanbul Convention." One such message reads:

"Feminist women's associations protest, saying İstanbul Covnention keeps one alive; in fact, after the convention, femicides have increased from 100 to 500. The murders have increased as the men who are kicked out of their homes and humiliated apparently tend to use violence."

(AÖ/SD)