Family minister says there is no data on street kids in Turkey

ANKARA

Family and Social Policies Minister Fatma Şahin speaks at a conference. DHA Photo

There is no data regarding the number of children living on the streets in Turkey, Family and Social Policies Minister Fatma Şahin has announced.

The brief announcement, which apparently had no explanation, came as an official response by Şahin to a written motion submitted by main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) deputy Sezgin Tanrıkulu.

Studies on children made to work in the streets and who are at risk of working in the streets are done by the Child and Youth Centers functioning under the ministry, Şahin said, adding that the ministry conducts its services with 39 centers in 30 provinces and four observatories working under these centers.

According to figures, 213 children were taken under protection for domestic violence in 2011, while 205 children were in 2012 for the same reason. In 2011, 81 children and in 2012, 133 children were taken under protection due to sexual abuse.

The number of children in the custody of the institutions working under the ministry was 12,018 in the year 2008; 12,655 in 2009; 12,578 in 2010; 13,662 in 2011; and 13,772 in 2012.