The lack of preventive mechanisms increases male violence by making it a part of everyday life. The experience of Meral Z. (43), who runs a café in Xarpêt (Elazığ), is just one example of the circle of violence that women are subjected to. 

 

Meral Z. made numerous complaints against her ex Kadir Onur Kenter, who repeatedly beat her and threatened her. She was almost left for dead by the police, prosecutor's office, court and the Violence Prevention and Monitoring Centre (ŞÖNİM). Meral Z. has applied to Elazığ Prosecutor's Office 14 times since 2023 and filed criminal complaints for offences such as "deliberately injuring", "insult", "violation of freedom of work and labour". However, in response to the applications, a 3-month suspension was given once and a 3-month protection order for Meral Z. was given once. 

 

As for the applications made for "deliberately injuring", "insult" and "violation of the cautionary decision" within the scope of Law No. 6284, "no prosecution" was declared. Meral Z., who was attacked by Kenter on 6 April, applied to the prosecutor's office once again on 20 March and requested "suspension" and "electronic handcuff" measures. Elazığ 1st Family Court ruled on 28 March that the "suspension" measure was sufficient and rejected the request for "electronic handcuffs". Meral Z., whom Kenter came to her house on 6 April and attempted to murder her, explained her experiences on her virtual media account as a last resort due to the failure of the authorities to fulfil their duties and asked for help from the public.

 

VIOLATED THE 'RESTRAINING ORDER'

 

Meral Z. said that she had been subjected to systematic violence and threats by Kenter for more than a year and a half. Meral Z. stated that 14 applications she made in this process were inconclusive and no penalty was imposed, and drew attention to the fact that the last complaint she made against Kenter. 

 

Kenter attempted to murder her on 6 April by ciolation the "suspension" decision but this is also inconclusive. Meral Z. told what she subjected to as follows: "Although there was a restraining order, he tried to kill me 10 days ago. He came to my door at 05.00 in the morning and tried to kill me. He did this several times in a year. I asked him to leave. He broke my mobile phone while I was trying to call the police. Then he tried to strangle me. I escaped from him and ran to the street, that is how I got rid of him. I went and got a report, I went to social services, I requested electronic handcuffs again. I went to police, my phone was already broken and photos of my phone was were taken. Two days after that, he came again and attacked me. He insulted and threatened me. After that we had to share it on social media. He was detained one day after the post. He was released immediately afterwards. He continues to call our friends and threaten them."

 

VIOLENCE INCREASED WITH EVERY FAILURE TO PROSECUTE

 

Meral Z. stressed that she want a lawyer and support of women's organizations. She added, "I had made my all complaints to ŞÖNİM. When I went to ŞÖNÜM with my assault report on the day I was tried to be killed, one of the officers there told me, 'You should not have opened the door either.' If they had been more understanding and guiding when we went there, things might not have come to this far. If my complaints had not gone unpunished, he would not have increased the dose of violence so much. When each non-persecution, he increased the dose of violence and attacked me. All this encouraged him. I am anxious even when I sleep, I wonder if he will knock on my door again. When I shared the situation on my virtual medai accounts, I received great support from women, women's organizations reached me. There are many women going through this process like me. For this year, I travelled around the police stations by myself. During that period, I tried to overcome it aone so that my family would not hear or be upset. No one should remain silent. They take courage from our silence."

 

MA / Şilan Şirvan Çil