The annual report released by the Turkish Gendarmerie General Command under the Interior Ministry has revealed a significant surge in various crimes, including child abuse and violence against women.
According to the Gendarmerie’s annual report for 2022, public order crimes experienced a sharp upswing of 10% compared to the previous year.
The section on “Incidents of Domestic and Violence against Women” paints a distressing picture, indicating that a worrying 44,260 women fell victim to violence in 2022 alone within the regions falling under gendarmerie jurisdiction, which encompasses approximately 21% of the country’s population.
The report reveals that within a year, 2,102 separate cases of child sexual abuse were recorded, along with 1,834 cases of sexual intercourse with minors. This marks a significant increase of 18% in the number of children involved in criminal activities, reaching a staggering total of 25,994. Additionally, the number of child victims of crime rose by 8% to 55,439. These figures highlight the alarming prevalence of child abuse within the country.
Equally troubling is the substantial rise in firearms possession within the country. The report highlights a notable increase in applications for gun licences, reflecting a worrying trend. In 2019, the gendarmerie received 13,206 applications, a number that rose by a significant 34% to reach 17,751 in 2020. In 2022, however, approximately 32,000 individuals were granted gun licences, representing a staggering 150% increase compared to 2019.
