If you are a young lady
“I have been harassed.” If you are a young lady who is even slightly foreign-looking and walking alone, you will utter this sentence sooner or later.
The best-case scenario is that someone will say to you, “Ma?allah!” which can be used with good intentions but usually is not.
I hate that there is no proper punishment for harassment. It is very difficult to prove the crime, and even if you do prove it, the sanctions are not tough enough. I do not expect the harasser to be jailed for 20 years, but shouldn’t he/she (yes, sometimes it is a she) at least taste the feeling of jail for a few days? What do you think about this? Is it a very harsh proposal?
If you are harassed, what should you do?
You have to report the harasser immediately. If you keep silent, you make them stronger.
If you need a lawyer’s help but are experiencing financial difficulties, you may not be able to afford it. If this is the case, you may apply to the local bar association, and there should be a help desk for low-income individuals. If this doesn’t work, let me know, and I will try to find a solution for you.
You can also go to the police or gendarmerie station and report these criminals. (Where you go depends on where you live: If you live in a city center, you should go to the police, but if you live in a rural area, it should be the gendarmerie.) The police will immediately handle this matter, as it is very important for the maintenance of public order, especially if you are living in a small city.
How can you make a complaint to the prosecutor’s office?
If you can afford a lawyer, he/she will write a petition to the prosecutor’s office and also add any evidence you might have. It is important to include any other crimes that may have been committed (such as a threat to your property or an attempt to break into your house).
In a case where an act is committed against your residence, the first crime is “breaking and entering.” This is a separate crime that occurred in order for the perpetrator to commit the sexual-harassment crime. If the criminal then also harasses, he could be convicted for sexual harassment separately. Another crime which you could report to the prosecutor’s office would be burglary if any of your belongings were stolen.
Before you go to the prosecutor’s office, make sure that eyewitnesses are willing to appear with you before the prosecutor and make a statement. In most cases, although they have seen the crime committed, people are hesitant or reluctant to give a statement as an eyewitness.
The complaint can be made either verbally or in written form. In my opinion, a written complaint is more effective.
Even though you’ve made a complaint at the prosecutor’s office, still report the incident to the police to alert them about the matter.
Berk Cektir http://www.berkcektir.av.tr/ The information provided here is intended to give basic legal information. You should get legal assistance from a licensed attorney at law while conducting legal transactions and not just rely on the information in this corner. http://www.todayszaman.com/ info@berkcektirlaw.com
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