A new Safety button change women’s life

BURSA - Doğan News Agency

The button, which allows for an emergency response, has been prepared with the collaboration of Family and Social Policies Ministry, Interior Ministry.

A new safety button that was recently distributed to women facing violence has been hailed by a transsexual who has long suffered abuse at the hands of her husband.

“If I had not received the security button, I would have died or killed myself,” said Öykü Özen. “I married for love, but our relationship turned violent, and now I am happy to be protected by the safety button.”

The button, which facilitates an emergency response to women in danger, was recently distributed by the Family and Social Policies Ministry, the Interior Ministry, the Police Department and mobile phone network Avea. Özen applied to Family Court before receiving the emergency device, saying: “Family and Social Politics Minister Fatma Şahin has said no matter woman or man, everyone can use this button. I am using my legal rights as a Turkish citizen.”

Özen also said she would seek to combat violence using the law, adding that she wanted to help other women that are subjected to violence.”

The “security button” project for women, prepared under the collaboration of the Family and Social Policies Ministry, Interior Ministry, Security General Directorate and mobile phone network Avea, was revealed in a meeting held in the northwestern province of Bursa, last week. In a measure to fight violence against women, the project allows women facing violence to contact police. They were initially tested in Bursa and Adana provinces, where the security button will be distributed in its first phase. The buttons will be delivered to women exposed to violence as deemed by a court.