* Photograph: Women Assemblies / Twitter
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After it was reported that a five-year-old girl was hospitalized after being subjected to sexual abuse in Küçükçekmece, İstanbul, women from various provinces of Turkey have taken to the streets and protested the incident.
CLICK - 5-Year-Old Child Sexually Abused in İstanbul
The Governorship of İstanbul also released a written statement about the incident last evening (April 24). Indicating that the family is provided with the necessary medical and psychosocial support and works to catch the perpetrator are continuing, the governorship announced that a legal action would be taken against the ones who reacted to the incident.
Later in the day today (April 25), Minister of Interior Süleyman Soylu has also stated, "I have been informed that the perpetrator has been caught."
Soylu has added that the Governorship of İstanbul will release a more detailed statement regarding the issue.
Governorship: It is used for provocation
In the statement of the Governorship released yesterday, it was claimed that "such regrettable incidents are used with the aim of provocation by certain circles that want to cause chaos and disorder in society." The governorship announced that "a legal action will be taken against the identified person or persons" who allegedly use the incident in Küçükçekmece for that end.
İstanbul Bar: We are following the process
İstanbul Bar Association has also made a statement regarding the issue and stated that they are in contact with both Küçükçekmece Public Prosecutor's Office and the family of the child.
The association has also underlined that they will follow the ensuing judicial process as the Children's Rights Center of İstanbul Bar Association.
Metropolitan Mayor İmamoğlu visited the family
Ekrem İmamoğlu, the Metropolitan Mayor of İstanbul, also visited the child's family. Promising to follow the incident, he said, "I just wanted to share this moment with you. We are on your side, we are on the side of our children."
There were also protest demonstrations and marches in the provinces of Muğla, Adana and Eskişehir, in Cyprus and in the districts of Eyüp, Sancaktepe, İkitelli and Şirinevler in İstanbul.
The residents of Kanarya Neighborhood, where the five-year-old girl was abused in Küçükçekmece, took to the streets for protest again. Police intervened in the protests by using Anti-Riot Water Cannon Vehicles (TOMA) and pressurized water. (AÖ/SD)