New Article on Street Harassment in Washington Post
Written by friend of Canimiz Sokakta, Ali Neel.
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We’re in Zaman!
Check us out ASAP.
Did you hear the news?
The Equal Opportunities Commission of the Turkish Assembly (Meclis Kadın Erkek Fırsat Eşitliği Komisyonu) presented a report which evaluates the new constitutional law regarding gender mainstreaming. For the details of the report, check this link.
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WE NEED YOUR HELP!
We are up trying to win a Changemakers award which would bring us to the next level in fighting street harassment. Read our project here: http://www.changemakers.com/girltech/entries/canimiz-sokakta-0 and nominate us by signing up here (http://www.changemakers.com/girltech) and submitting a very short nomination form. You’ve been so wonderful, and we’d love your support for this! A big thanks from the Canımız Sokakta team!
no commentsHollaback Istanbul selected by Worldwide Visionaries!
Canimiz Sokakta: Hollaback! Istanbul was selected by Worldwide Visionaries, because our work against harassment is progressive and inspiring. You can check out our project here (http://worldwidevisionaries.org/projects/142-canmz-sokakta/) and look up other projects from around the world too!
no commentsGreen Dot: I’ve Got Your Back
Help Out with the Green Dot Campaign!
Come Hear Director Kacie Lyn Kocher@ Koc University tomorrow at 5pm!
On Thursday May 17th at 5pm, Director Kacie Lyn Kocher will also be on the panel on sexual harassment at Koc University. Meet us!
no commentsEnglish Story Sharing this Sunday! Molly’s Cafe 4-6 PM
anımız Sokakta holds two Story Sharing events for those who have experienced street harassment to share their stories and get support from a psychologist and lawyer
Canımız Sokakta has been providing a virtual space for victims of street harassment to interact and share their stories on the website www.canimizsokakta.com. That belief in the importance of storysharing is behind Canımız Sokakta’s new initative: creating a safe space for those with stories of harassment to share their experiences in a live story sharing event. At Molly’s Café in Galata, there will be two story sharing events (one in English and one in Turkish). Both will be moderated by psychologist Inci Tebis and lawyer Nihan Guneli, who will facilitate the discussion of personal stories and will provide guidance and support for those who have experienced street harassment.
“With these events, we aim to complement the website’s story-sharing function by fostering an open, theraputic environment where people can give and receive support through sharing their stories in person,” Canımız Sokakta volunteer and Story Sharing events coordinator Maggie Hunter explains. “We hope to raise awareness of the issues of street harassment in general, help particpants reflect on their individual experiences, and remind participants that they are not alone
no commentsHollaback! International Expansion
Last week, the global Hollaback network expanded t0 8 new cities which makes our total Hollaback network more global than ever. We are fighting strong in 52 cities, in 17 different countries, speaking 9 different languages. Meet the Leaders from our new Branches
Story Sharing this Sunday 4-6 P.M.
Canımız Sokakta Legal Counsel Nihan Guneli said in a written press statement: “The important problem in issues of street harassment is that victims lack knowledge about their legal rights. This meeting is instrumental in beginning the larger process of sharing your stories, not only to get psychological help, but to also be informed about your rights in such situations.” Read more from Today’s Zaman
and join our event this Sunday from 4-6pm. (Story Sharing event to be in Turkish.)
Culture and Law
Fethiye Lawsuit, April 27th: Why You Should Be Mad and Talking about it
Haven’t you seen too many lawsuits ending in ways that make you think “No way they could let this happen?” Haven’t you had enough with the skewed system of justice? Aren’t you tired of hearing about lawsuits that almost reward the killer, beater, rapist?
We invite you to Fethiye, for yourself, your daughters, your sisters, the ones that made you cringe, made your heart ache, made you rage, and made you say this has to stop.
Did you know, in the Fethiye Lawsuit that takes place the 27th of April,
- That the case of the woman that was raped by 8 people in 2007 was dropped despite all attempts at justice?
- That the authorities offer tea to the rapists in police stations?
- That the women have to collect the evidence by themselves?
- That even after 3,5 years a civil law suit wasn’t initiated even though the woman was given post traumatic stress disorder diagnosis and there were witnesses?
- That the Ministry of Justice decided to start the lawsuit with the united action and struggle by women?
- That in the first trial, some of the rapists were brought in as witnesses?
- That the bar president of Muğla was the lawyer of one of the rapists?
- That in each trial the woman was shamed, her private life dissected, her family interrogated, and even blamed for deserving the rape?
- That in every trial, hundreds of women from all around the country came and demanded true justice?
- That the women’s associations that follow the lawsuit have been accused of plotting against the rape witnesses?
The district attorney decided on the absolution of the suspects with the reason of not enough evidence when there were medical documents that prove rape, psychological evaluation reports, phone tracing evidence that proved the suspects were at the crime scene, witnesses and many other evidence. This is why we’re going to Fethiye on 27th of April to go to the lawsuit and say this isn’t going to end this way, without the rapists being punished.
Cooperation of women initiated this lawsuit, and will cause punishment to the rapists in this final trial! We need your help and support in our cause. We want this issue to be heard in public, and we want the rapists brought to justice! We want you to write about this and share the information every way you can to spread the word.
For a future that no sister is belittled, looked down on, one free from the victimization of violence and rape; let the Fethiye trial be a cause for all women standing up for justice.
We have two videos that show the trial process. The first one is a video we made right after the first trial, and it talks about our actions to make the cause public until the first trial. The second video shows the protests women all around Turkey have done to make their voices heard.
| “I WANT THE RAPISTS TO GO TO JAIL THIS TIME”“In the lawsuit that I’ve been going through to bring justice to the rape I’ve been a victim of for 5 years, I’ve seen that our government and law system protect the rapists. Trying to endure every pain I’ve been subjected to, knowing nothing will ever be the same, having to live far from home and family, having to take pills to aid sleep, being a stranger to my own body… Being ashamed… Be ruined every time I remember. And the rapists living comfortably, even as respectable people, and keep on raping other women… I want this to change, I want the rapists to go to jail this time.” These words belong to the woman that has been treated like a suspect instead of a victim. Both her and the other women that attended the lawsuit have learned a lot. “We have learned that justice isn’t achieved by leaving it to the authorities. We need the support and unity of women to end the rape, and punish the rapists.”, says our friend. This lawsuit is vital in questioning having to return home quickly with nervous steps every time you go out, the embarrassment of not being able to do anything about people who justify raping of little girls by saying they consented, the things that we sacrifice in order not to become a victim in a country that has more and more rape incidences, the worry that we have about our daughters’ future and the hardships they will endure. It is vital for us to question every worry that arise every day. This is why the journey to this is not tiring. |
The things that happened before and during the first trial of Fethiye Lawsuit:
What happened in front of the courthouse during the lawsuit?
“No Consent” is a documentary that follows the rape lawsuit in Fethiye, and showcases what this lawsuit means to every woman that go on watch in front of the courthouse in each trial.
no commentsWe’re in the News!
Hollaback Istanbul: Helping you when you travel
Check out this great article by Istanbul resident David Joshua Jennings about how to avoid street harassment when traveling. The piece features advice from Canimiz Sokakta director, Kacie Lyn Kocher.