ANKARA – The draft bill, from which the sexual abuse was withdrawn, has been accepted by Parliament. After the AYM (Supreme Court) removed the rule of the 15-year-old for sexual abuse, regulations on sexual abuse were made for children under 12-year-old. However, the masculine judicial system can apply to the concept of “consent” for impunity for sexual assaults against the children aged over 12-year-old.

Draft bill, which justified sexual abuse and was withdrawn after women reacted to, has been accepted by General assembly of the Parliament. The article 103 titled “Sexual Abuse of Children” which was annulled by the Turkish Supreme Court (AYM), has been reorganized with the draft bill. According to the bill, the person, who sexually abuses a child, will be sentenced to eight years up to 15 years in prison.

If the child is under 12-year-old, the prison sentence won’t be less than 18 years. The AYM annulled the provision in the first paragraph of Article 103, which said, “Any sexual behavior against the children under 15-year-old is considered as sexual abuse”. Even if public opinion reacted to the decision of the AYM, the maximum prison term for sexual assault will be given to crimes committed against children under 12-year-old.

With the amendment in the Turkish Criminal Law, the masculine judicial system can apply to the concept of “consent” for impunity for sexual assaults against the children aged over 12-year-old.