02.10.2025 11:35
The defendant who sexually abused a 13-year-old girl in Izmir was sentenced to 6 years and 8 months in prison. In the reasoned decision, it was stated that despite the absence of witnesses in the case, the victim's consistent statements supported by forensic reports were taken as the basis for the prison sentence. The lawyer, noting that the decision sets a precedent, said, "The perception in society that 'there is no punishment without a witness' has been shattered."
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The defendant, who was tried for sexually abusing a 13-year-old child in the Torbalı district of İzmir, was sentenced to 6 years and 8 months in prison based on the "consistent statements of the victim child supported by forensic reports," despite the absence of witnesses.
SEXUAL ABUSE OF A 13-YEAR-OLD GIRL
According to the information in the case file, 13-year-old E.D. went to her friend's house in 2024 to pick up her bag. G.G., the father of her friend who was alone at home, let the young girl in, then sexually abused her and said, "Why are you in a hurry? Let's have coffee."
8-YEAR PRISON SENTENCE REDUCED TO 6 YEARS AND 8 MONTHS
Upon this, E.D. left the house saying, "My father is waiting," and told her family what had happened. Following the family's complaint to the Torbalı District Gendarmerie Command, G.G. was detained, and the Torbalı Chief Public Prosecutor's Office filed a lawsuit against him.
As a result of the trial, the court initially sentenced G.G. to 8 years in prison for "sexual abuse of a child." However, the court applied a discretionary reduction, lowering the sentence to 6 years and 8 months. The parties have the right to appeal the decision.
THE VICTIM CHILD'S STATEMENTS WERE TAKEN AS BASIS IN THE REASONED DECISION
The Torbalı Heavy Penal Court explained the reasoning for the verdict. The reasoned decision emphasized the consistent statements of the victim child during the investigation and prosecution phases. It was noted that the child reported the incident to her family and friends on the same day, and the forensic interview report supported her statements. The defendant's denial defenses were deemed insufficient.
The decision highlighted that despite the absence of any eyewitnesses during the incident, the victim's detailed, logically coherent, and forensic report-supported statements were taken as the basis, and it was ruled that the defendant's crime was established beyond any reasonable doubt.
"THE PERCEPTION THAT THERE IS NO PUNISHMENT WITHOUT A WITNESS HAS BEEN DESTROYED"
Evaluating the decision, lawyer Şenay Geçkil stated that the court conducted a trial of exemplary nature and said:
"The lawsuit opened as a result of the investigation based on the child's statement has concluded with a prison sentence for the defendant due to the court's meticulous trial, which can be considered exemplary. Despite the absence of any eyewitnesses during the incident, the court based its decision on the statements of the victim child, taking into account that these statements were consistent, detailed, supported by forensic reports, and logically coherent, and ruled that the defendant's crime was established beyond any reasonable doubt."
Geçkil expressed that the perception in society that "there is no punishment without a witness" has been shattered with this case, and added:
"Children's narratives, especially the determined and clear statements of a victim with developed reasoning ability, can be sufficient for conviction on their own. This decision has clearly demonstrated this; it has shown once again that the child's statement is the strongest evidence in the eyes of justice. The commonly held belief in society that 'there is no punishment without a witness' has been destroyed with this case. It should now be known that in cases of sexual abuse, children's statements, when supported by internal consistency and forensic reports, are sufficient for conviction without the need for crime scene images or witnesses. This case serves as an important example of how determined courts can be in cases of sexual abuse against children. This decision shows that even the slightest act of abuse will not go unpunished and that justice is fully engaged to protect children. The best interests and safety of children are above any personal interests, societal judgments, and excuses. This legal struggle is not just about winning a case, but about ensuring that no child suffers similar abuse in the future.
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