Men perpetrated violence against at least 33 women, abused at least 20 girls and boys, and harassed at least 10 women. They also coerced 20 women into sex work.
According to reports compiled by bianet from local and national newspapers, news websites, and agencies, men killed at least 30 women and two children in April.
At least 24 women's deaths were "suspicious."
In the first four months of the year, men killed 119 women.
Provinces of suspicious deaths
Antalya (1), Balıkesir (1), Bursa (1), Diyarbakır (1), Elazığ (1), İstanbul (2), İzmir (1), Kastamonu (1), Kocaeli (2), Mardin (1), Mersin (1), Ordu (1), Sakarya (1), Sinop (1), Tokat (1), Uşak (1), Urfa (1), Van (1), Zonguldak (1).
Men perpetrated violence against at least 33 women, abused at least 20 girls and boys, and harassed at least 10 women. They also coerced 20 women into sex work.
In April, men raped at least four women. They also threatened to "kill" at least 16 women.
A woman exercised her right to self-defense in Ankara: A woman named B.A. stabbed to death her ex-husband Veysel Dörkozan (44), who lived in the same house and assaulted her. It was revealed that the man had stabbed the woman, had been assaulting her for years, and had multiple criminal records. An investigation has been launched.
Male violence in 2022, 2023 and 2024
In the first four months of 2024, men killed 119 women, harassed 24 women, abused 42 children, inflicted violence on 158 women, and raped six women. Men forced at least 144 women into sex work. The deaths of 90 women were reported in the media as "suspicious," while men killed at least 13 children.
In the first four months of 2023, men killed 89 women, harassed 15 women, abused 31 children, inflicted violence on 234 women, and raped four women. Men forced at least 115 women into sex work. The deaths of 73 women were reported as "suspicious," while men killed 11 children.
In the first four months of 2022, men killed 99 women, harassed 34 women, abused 83 children, inflicted violence on 238 women, and raped 11 women. Men forced at least 262 women into sex work. In the first four months of 2022, the deaths of 70 women were reported as "suspicious," while men killed at least nine children in the year's first four months.
Femicide
In April, men killed at least 30 women and also killed six men who were with these women.
One of the perpetrators was a specialized sergeant.
Names of the women killed in April
Asya C., Besra K., Buse Ateş S., Buse Demirkıran, Emine Boynueğri, Emine D., Esma İ., Esra Y., F.C., Gülcan G., Gülseren Y., H.T., İlknur Ç., Kübra K., Meltem Z., Melek Ç., Nazlı T., N.A., Nursel Y., Petek A., Sabiha F., Sahure Dudu Bahçeci, Selin Yalın, Selma Ç., Semanur Ç., Sevda M., Serpil K., Türkan A., Yıldız Y., Yonca Kazan.
Provinces where men killed women
Adıyaman (1), Ağrı (1), Ankara (2), Antalya (2), Balıkesir (1), Bolu (1), Diyarbakır (1), Edirne (1), Erzurum (1), İstanbul (6), Karabük (1), Kırıkkale (1), Konya (1), Maraş (2), Manisa (1), Mersin (2), Muğla (1), Sakarya (1), Samsun (2), Tekirdağ (1).
Men killed 16 women because "they wanted to separate" or "did not want to reconcile," one woman because "he was jealous," and another woman because "she kept a cat." The reasons for 12 other murders did not appear in the media.
At least 21 women were killed by their husbands, boyfriends, or ex-partners, while eight were killed by male family members such as cousins, fathers, or grandsons. One woman was killed by a neighbor.
Seven women were killed with a sharp object. Sixteen women were shot with firearms. Two women were strangled. Two were beaten to death. The method used for three women's deaths did not appear in the media.
Six women were killed in outdoor areas such as streets and wooded areas. Twenty-four women were killed inside homes.
Legal proceedings
There were at least 30 male perpetrators who killed women. 17 perpetrators were arrested, 7 were detained, and 3 committed suicide. The legal proceedings of three were not disclosed in the media.
Child murders
Men killed two children in April. The same month last year saw three child murders.
Two children were killed by their fathers, and one by a cousin.
Provinces where men killed children
İzmir (1), Maraş (1).
Names of the killed children
Tuğçe A., Sultan A.
Legal proceedings
Two male perpetrators were involved. One was arrested, and the other committed suicide.
Harassment
Yağmur Karagöz / bianet
In April, men harassed at least 10 women. Last year in the same month, this number was five.
Men verbally and physically harassed nine women and recorded at least one woman on camera.
They harassed women in outdoor places like streets.
A specialized sergeant harassed one woman, and a co-worker harassed another. The identities of the men who harassed the other eight women were not disclosed in the media.
Provinces where men harassed women
Ankara (1), Antep (1), Balıkesir (1), Bursa (1), Fethiye (1), İstanbul (3) İzmir (1), Şırnak (1).
Legal proceedings
There were at least 10 male perpetrators who harassed women. Only three perpetrators were arrested. One perpetrator was prosecuted, and another was detained. The legal proceedings of at least five perpetrators were not reported in the media.
Child abuse
In April, men abused at least 20 girls and boys. Last year, this number was four.
Men abused one child at home, 12 children at school, four in sports halls, and three on the streets.
At least 12 children were abused by four teachers, two by a shepherd, one by their father, and four by sports coaches. The identity of the perpetrator who abused one child was not disclosed in the media.
Provinces where men abused children
Elazığ (13), Afyon (1), Ankara (1), Antep (2), Denizli (1), İzmir (1), Konya (1).
Legal proceedings
There were seven perpetrators.
Çocukları istismar eden yedi fail vardı. Sadece beş fail tutuklandı. Bir fail hakkında soruşturma başlatıldı. Bir fail de gözaltına alındı.
Sexual assault / harassment
csgorselarsiv.org
In April, men raped four women, according to media reports. Last year, the number was one.
The degree of familiarity between the perpetrators and victims was not disclosed in the media.
One woman was raped by a neighbor, another by a man posing as a security guard, a third by a man posing as a courier, and the fourth by a doctor.
All four women were raped in outdoor places.
Provinces where men sexually assaulted women
İstanbul (2), Samsun (1), Urfa (1).
Legal proceedings
Kadınlara cinsel saldırıda bulunan dört fail erkek vardı. Sadece iki fail tutuklandı. İki failin hukuki süreci basına yansımadı.
Violence / Injury
csgorselarsiv.org
In April, men injured at least 33 women. Last year, the same month had 56 cases.
At least four women were taken to the hospital with injuries.
Men continued to inflict violence on at least three women despite protection orders.
Provinces where men inflicted violence on women
Ankara (1), Aydın (1), Bursa (2), Edirne (22), İstanbul (5), İzmir (1), Sivas (1).
Men injured 16 women because "they wanted to reconcile" or "wanted to separate." Two women were injured because "he was jealous." The reasons why 15 other women were injured were not reported in the media.
Men assaulted 29 women, injuring two women with firearms and two women with sharp objects.
Men injured 16 women inside homes and 14 women in outdoor areas such as public transport, parks, and streets. Information about where three women were injured was not reported in the press.
Legal proceedings
There were at least 28 male perpetrators who injured women. Ten perpetrators were released. Two were detained and arrested. Four were detained, and legal proceedings were initiated for 10. The legal proceedings of two were not disclosed in the media.
Forced sex work
Men forced at least 20 women into sex work in April. Nine of the women were not citizens of Turkey. Children were among those who were forced into sex work.
Provinces where women were forced into sex work
İstanbul (3), Samsun (6), Urfa (11)
Legal proceedings
There were 18 perpetrators who forced women into sex work. 13 were arrested, three were detained, two were released.
Explanation
bianet Male Violence Monitoring Report only covers women who lost their lives as a result of male violence reported in the press.
We do not include any violence cases or crimes that are not gender-based.
Throughout the year, we keep track of unidentified murders and suspicious deaths of women in separate monthly tallies but do not add them to the number presented in the headline.
At the end of the year, we examine these cases of unidentified murders and suspicious deaths to determine whether the crimes were gender-based. We add the gender-based incidents into the report.
We do not include any murders in the reports that are committed by people with psychological disorders (such as murders committed by people with schizophrenia).
We include suicide or suicide attempt incidents in the tally only if the woman was subjected to violence/ systematic violence in her past. We cover these suicide incidents in a separate category and do not add suicide cases to the number presented in the headline.
In addition, we don't include femicide cases that occur in a mass murder in which the woman was not directly targeted under the condition that the debated incident is not gender based either.
Occupations of the offenders only included in the reports when the incident of violence is related to the occupation of the offender. For example, "Woman was murdered at home by his husband, who is a professional soldier."
We add the violence committed on children by men, to make the extent of violence visible.
bianet kadın ve LGBTİ+ haberleri editörü (Ekim 2018- Şubat 2025). bianet stajyerlerinden (2000-2001). Cumhuriyet, BirGün, DİHA, Jinha, Jin News, İMC TV için muhabirlik yaptı. Rize'de...
bianet kadın ve LGBTİ+ haberleri editörü (Ekim 2018- Şubat 2025). bianet stajyerlerinden (2000-2001). Cumhuriyet, BirGün, DİHA, Jinha, Jin News, İMC TV için muhabirlik yaptı. Rize'de yerel gazetelerde çalıştı. Sivil Sayfalar, Yeşil Gazete, Journo ve sektör dergileri için yazılar yazdı, haberleri yayınlandı. Hemşin kültür dergisi GOR’un kurucu yazarlarından. Yeşilden Maviye Karadenizden Kadın Portreleri, Sırtında Sepeti, Medya ve Yalanlar isimli kitaplara katkı sundu. Musa Anter Gazetecilik (2011) ve Türkiye Psikiyatri Derneği (2024) en iyi haber ödülü sahibi. Türkiye Gazeteciler Sendikası Kadın ve LGBTİ+ Komisyonu kurucularından. Sendikanın İstanbul Şubesi yöneticilerinden (2023-2027). İstanbul Üniversitesi Avrupa Birliği ve Bilgi Üniversitesi Uluslararası İlişkiler bölümlerinden mezun. Toplumsal cinsiyet odaklı habercilik ve cinsiyet temelli şiddet haberciliği alanında atölyeler düzenliyor. Şubat 2025'den bu yana kadın haberleri editörü olarak çalışıyor.
Police chasing protesters following a demonstration at Saraçhane Square. (Ali Dinç/bianet)
A woman detained during protests in İstanbul following the arrest of Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu has alleged that she was subjected to physical abuse and sexual harassment by police officers.
The woman, who was taken into custody on the night of Mar 22 and later placed under house arrest, described her experience in her police testimony.
“I didn’t damage any public property or resist the police," she wrote. "However, I was subjected to a very harsh intervention. I was pulled by my hair and dragged to the ground. While I was being taken away to be handcuffed, a police officer who said ‘I won't beat you’ took me to the back of the ambulance and I was harassed there. At that moment I wet myself out of fear. The clothes I was wearing were still soaked in urine. The woman officer said 'enough'. But the male policeman who had harassed me before continued to act as if he was in charge."
She further described the violence she endured while in custody. "The male police officer pressed my head with his foot. The doctor's report showed edema and swelling on my left side. While I was being taken to the detention vehicle, the female police officer insulted me by calling me ‘dirty’. I was kept in handcuffs for hours, my hands swollen and bruised."
'Death threats'
When she attempted to report the harassment, she said she received a sarcastic response from officers. “I told a blonde female officer that I had been harassed. She laughed and told me sarcastically, ‘Oh, you were harassed?’
"During a body search, they tied ropes around my wrists and neck to remove the plastic handcuffs. When I said it violated my rights, no one cared.”
The woman said that she was subjected to constant pressure and threats by four women police officers during her detention, and that one of the most severe threats came one of those officers: "They frightened me, put me under constant pressure. A black-haired policewoman told me, 'If you stay in our hands, we will kill you.' The other officers were joking and laughing."
Saying that the dose of violence and torture increased gradually in detention, the woman alleged that they forced her to give a statement and at one point she fainted because she could not bear the pain.
İstanbul Bar following the case
The İstanbul Bar Association’s Women’s Rights Center and lawyers affiliated with the opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP), including attorneys Ekim Yolcu, Büşra Çakır, and Erdener Doğan Işık, are following the case. The legal team has appealed the court's decision to place her under house arrest.
Protests erupted across Turkey following the Mar 19 detention of İstanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, a key opposition figure from the Republican People’s Party (CHP). He was formally arrested on corruption-related and suspended from office on Mar 23.
Protests continued nationwide, with Saraçhane Square in front of the İstanbul Metropolitan Municipality building being center of the demonstrations.
Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya stated that between Mar 19 and Mar 27, a total of 1,879 people were taken into custody during the protests. Of those, 260 were formally arrested, 468 were placed under judicial supervision, and 489 were released. Legal proceedings for the remaining 662 individuals are ongoing. (EMK/VK)
bianet kadın ve LGBTİ+ haberleri editörü (Ekim 2018- Şubat 2025). bianet stajyerlerinden (2000-2001). Cumhuriyet, BirGün, DİHA, Jinha, Jin News, İMC TV için muhabirlik yaptı. Rize'de...
bianet kadın ve LGBTİ+ haberleri editörü (Ekim 2018- Şubat 2025). bianet stajyerlerinden (2000-2001). Cumhuriyet, BirGün, DİHA, Jinha, Jin News, İMC TV için muhabirlik yaptı. Rize'de yerel gazetelerde çalıştı. Sivil Sayfalar, Yeşil Gazete, Journo ve sektör dergileri için yazılar yazdı, haberleri yayınlandı. Hemşin kültür dergisi GOR’un kurucu yazarlarından. Yeşilden Maviye Karadenizden Kadın Portreleri, Sırtında Sepeti, Medya ve Yalanlar isimli kitaplara katkı sundu. Musa Anter Gazetecilik (2011) ve Türkiye Psikiyatri Derneği (2024) en iyi haber ödülü sahibi. Türkiye Gazeteciler Sendikası Kadın ve LGBTİ+ Komisyonu kurucularından. Sendikanın İstanbul Şubesi yöneticilerinden (2023-2027). İstanbul Üniversitesi Avrupa Birliği ve Bilgi Üniversitesi Uluslararası İlişkiler bölümlerinden mezun. Toplumsal cinsiyet odaklı habercilik ve cinsiyet temelli şiddet haberciliği alanında atölyeler düzenliyor. Şubat 2025'den bu yana kadın haberleri editörü olarak çalışıyor.
LGBTI+ activist İris Mozalar was among the encircled group after the demonstration.
More than 100 women and LGBTI+ activists were detained following the Feminist Night March in Beyoğlu İstanbul on Mar 8.
After the demonstration ended in Cihangir neighborhood, police encircled a group of activists and eventually detained 112 of them. During the confrontation, officers cited the chanting of "banned slogans" as the reason for their action.
Feminist activist Feride Eralp criticized the police response, saying, “There are probably 100 to 200 of us here. Out of a protest attended by thousands, you have somehow managed to trap this small group. This is disgraceful. What you are doing here is completely arbitrary.”
She called on the police to allow the crowd to disperse peacefully. “Do not use violence against women on Mar 8 Women’s Day. If you try to detain us here, you will have to use force on all of us—and you know that. Let this day end without violence. Your duty is to protect women from violence, not to inflict it. These women marched today for their rights and freedoms, for an end to male violence. Let us go.”
Police deployed vehicles to the scene and eventually detained all the encircled demonstrators.
LGBTI+ activist released after arrest request
Among those detained was LGBTI+ activist İris Mozalar, who was later referred to İstanbul’s 3rd Penal Judgeship of Peace with a request for arrest on charges of “insulting the president” and violating the Law No. 2911 on Meetings and Demonstrations.
Mozalar spent the night in police custody before being transferred to Çağlayan Courthouse.
According to Mozalar’s lawyer, Gizem Karaköçek, prosecutors requested the arrest without even taking a statement from Mozalar.
The case file did not provide detailed reasoning for the arrest request, but one of the slogans chanted during the march—“Jump, jump, those who don’t jump are Tayyip”—was listed as evidence for insulting President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.
During police questioning, Mozalar was also asked about slogans including “Jin, jiyan, azadî” (Woman, life, freedom), “Resistance against all odds, freedom against all odds,” and “If women were free, the world would shake.”
Mozalar was ultimately released under judicial control, with an international travel ban. (TY/VK)
