Trans Woman Rape Case: R.A. Receives 8 Years

An Eskişehir district court found R.A. guilty of raping a trans woman, ordering him to serve 8 years and 4 months in prison.

R.A., whose name has not been disclosed, has been been charged with sexual offenses included harassment and rape.

"What use is a trans woman to me?" R.A. said, on the first session of his trial at Eskişehir 2nd District Court in 2011.

Yesterday afternoon, the court found the suspect guilty for raping a trans woman. The verdict has been reinforced by a forensics report which said the victim woman had physical and psychological damages due to the incident. The court also found the suspect guilty for threat and violating property rights.

"There was no evidence of physical damages since my client was threaded by the convict. We only had one witness, which was risky. Usually, suspects are found not guilty in similar cases due to lack of evidence. But the court accepted a forensics report to complement the witness testimony," Hakan Yıldırım, trans woman's lawyer said.

Yıldırım claimed that the convict reportedly assaulted other women. but no complaints has been made due to fears of revenge.

"My client fought for her cause. It was also a psychological challenge that she struggled for 2 years."

Local LGBTT organizations also joined the trial process, organizing protests to spread the word.

According to data compiled by bianet, at least 150 women were raped by men 2012, while only 12 in January 2013. (NV/BM)