650 child abuse cases registered every month in Turkey

ANKARA / Doğan News Agency

According to Child Watch Centers' data which only comprises 13 provinces out of 81 in Turkey, 2,792 children suffered sexual abuse last year, while 263 were married despite being underage.

Some 650 cases of child abuse are being registered at the Forensic Medicine Institute (ATK) every month, according to figures provided by the Justice Ministry in response to a parliamentary question.

Some 916 cases were waiting to be inspected by forensic officials at the end of last year, the data also showed.  

The response by Justice Minister Bekir Bozdağ to main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) deputy Sezgin Tanrıkulu also said the number of lingering cases fell sharply from 3,271 in July 2012.

The reports on the mental health reports of victims are completed over a period of six months for children and one year for adults, it also said.

Data collected from Child Watch Centers in just 13 provinces last month showed that 2,792 children suffered sexual abuse last year, while 263 were married despite being underage.