Report: Coronavirus Outbreak Has Become an Excuse for Not Protecting Women from Violence

*Patriarchy is more dangerous than corona (Photo: Twitter)

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Women are facing difficulties in access to protection against violence and social aids during the new coronavirus pandemic, according to a report by the Mor Çatı Women's Shelter Foundation.

The report underlines that women's applications to the foundation have increased during the pandemic and the authorities' neglect of duty regarding Law No. 6284 on Violence Against Women has become more common.

"We observe that the coronavirus outbreak has become an excuse for not implementing Law No. 6284," the foundation says.

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Also, a prison release law enacted in mid-April has raised concerns among women as law enforcement officers are reluctant to implement protection measures, the report notes.

Here are highlights from the report:

*We have observed an increase in support applications from especially young women who live with their families.

*Although we called the 155 Police Emergency Line many times for an emergency situation, we couldn't reach the police.

*An increase is observed for requests for shelter. Women who went to the police stated that they did not direct them to a shelter.

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*The police rejected the request of protection and confidentiality order by a woman who was concerned for her security because her ex-husband who was violent with her would be released due to the criminal enforcement law, saying, "We'll see after he gets out."

*A woman stated that a man who had a restraining order against him came and stormed the places where she stayed and that not any action was taken although she filed a complaint about the violation of the order.

*A woman with a chronic illness stated that she called the police because of the violence she was subjected to from her father and brother but the police did not take any action, assuming she was mentally unstable. However, even if she has mental health problems, the police should protect women.

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*A woman called the Violence Prevention and Monitoring Center (ŞÖNİM) many times for legal support regarding a confidentiality order and for an attorney to be appointed. Rather than informing the bar association, the ŞÖNİM neglected its duty, saying, 'There is no lawyer, s/he did not come."

*A woman who has been stalked by her neighbor for a year reported the incident to the police with evidence and filed a complaint but the police minutes did not include her statements. When she objected to this, the police threatened her, saying, "Either you will sign this report or we will make you wait at the station."

*A governor's office provided temporary accommodation and financial support to a woman who has been subjected to violence. Institutions' fulfilling their responsibilities in the fight against violence can change a lot in women's lives.

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*A five-week pregnant woman who called [us] from a city other than İstanbul stated that she went to the only hospital that accepts non-coronavirus patients in the city for abortion and that a doctor refused the abortion and told her, 'Complain me if you want.' The woman as able to exercise her right to abortion as a result of her persistent struggle and of women's solidarity.

*A woman who lives with her two children stated that she applied to the district governor's office twice for social aid and it was not accepted. The district municipality directed her to the district governor's office rather than helping her. As a result of the woman's persistent struggle and our call to the municipality, she was able to receive an aid parcel.

*All social aid applications made by a woman who was laid off in the days when the outbreak began were rejected. (EMK/VK)