Authorities call for investigation of violence cases without waiting for a complaint

Amid new cases of abuse against women and reports of rapes, the issue of domestic violence has again come to the forefront of public attention. The statement emphasizes that such incidents should be checked immediately, and the police are obliged to start an investigation as soon as information appears in the public domain — even before an official complaint is filed.

The author(s) of the statement note that domestic violence is not a “family matter” or a private issue, but a matter of public safety. According to them, this phenomenon can only be combated systematically: investigating, taking cases to court, and ensuring exemplary punishment for perpetrators.

It was also recalled that the parliament had previously begun legislative changes, including updating the definition of serious crimes. Among the proposals are life imprisonment for rape, as well as aligning the norms with the Istanbul Convention aimed at preventing violence against women and protecting victims.

The statement emphasizes that society must be particularly attentive to such topics: “we do not condemn in advance, but we cannot cover for anyone.” At the same time, it highlights the need for full and thorough investigation without delays, so that cases do not “drag on” for years.