Violence against two people with autism in care and rehabilitation center

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"They took my child away, saying he had autism and I could not care for him. They placed him in a care and solidarity center in Pendik. The look in my son's eyes has changed since then. They don't give information on the phone, I want to go and see him there, they do not allow it, either.

"A caretaker inflicted violence on another child a few months ago. They only cut one monthly salary as a punishment. Then, they inflicted violence on my child as well. They take our children away from us, saying 'We will care for them' and do not care for them. I am really worried."

It is Ayfer Öztürk who is sharing her worries with bianet. Sinan, the 26-year-old son of Öztürk, is held in the care and rehabilitation center of the İstanbul Family and Social Services Directorate in Pendik. Mother Öztürk has announced that her son was subjected to violence there.

'They do not give information'

Öztürk has also said that İstanbul Anatolian Chief Public Prosecutor's Office has launched an investigation against this person:

"They came from the Social Services Directorate and looked at our house. They said, 'This child cannot live here' and took him away. I live in Gaziosmanpaşa [on the European side], they took my son to a center in Pendik [on the Anatolian side]. I would call the center everyday, I wanted to get information about Sinan, but they did not give me any information.

"I would go to the center to see my child, they were trying to prevent me, saying, 'Have you got permission?'

"When I hardly managed to see my son and wanted to have a picture of him, they would not let me. We are really at a loss: Should we struggle for our children's lives or against these people there?

"They were constantly sliding over. I was telling them I wanted to hear the voice of my child, but they were refusing it. They would not let me see him when I went there. They showed him to me from a window once.

"I went to the center again in June to see Sinan, they did not let me. Next day, I called them and said, 'At least, send me a picture.'

'Director confirmed the violence'

"You should see those pictures, I could not recognize my own son. I called them again to ask about his condition, they told me that I should not constantly call. Then, I could hardly made them put through a director named Serdar and asked him about the condition of my son. He said, 'I will call you tomorrow.' At that moment, I understood that something was wrong.

"The director called next day and said, 'One of our caretakers inflicted violence on Sinan. We have taken him to a hospital. Sinan is now being treated at Pendik State Hospital. The police at the hospital have informed the prosecutor's office. An investigation has been launched against our worker and we have suspended the worker from duty.'

"So, the director has confirmed the violence. Then, a chill ran down my back. I talked to other mothers as well. For instance, the son of Fatma Yılmaz was also subjected to violence, there are pictures of it and she appealed to court. We are really worried about our children.

"The violence against both children is being investigated now. The prosecutor's office is following the issue. We are expecting support from the prosecutors. We expect justice for our children.

"I am not afraid, my heart is there. I am struggling for my son's life. In my petition to the prosecutor's office, I said that I complain about all personnel there, from the psychologist to everyone else, I gave their names."

'My child is still in that care center'

Öztürk also got suspicious before that Sinan was subjected to violence, but when she said it, it was denied by the personnel:

"My son is harmed, but I know where. My son has been harmed to the depths of his ear, his eardrums have bursted. I used to tell them this, but they did not admit. I am a mother, how could I not know? Was it possible that I did not know where my child was hurt?

"Then, it was announced after the director talked about it. But when my son left hospital, they have taken him to that care center again. That is why, I am even more worried now. The caretaker who inflicted violence on his has been suspended from duty, but I do not think that my child is safe there."

When we call the care and rehabilitation center in Pendik, the security guard answered, "We do not accept the allegations." (EMK/SD)