08/12/2023 | Writer: Selma Koçak
“While pro-government trolls target women and LGBTI+s every day, can it be credible to talk about fighting against digital violence in a Presidential Circular?”
Peoples’ Equality and Democracy Party (HEDEP) İstanbul MP Özgül Saki addressed Kaos GL’s “All of a Sudden: Research on Digital Violence against LGBTIQ+ Communities in Türkiye” within the scope of the press conference held at the Grand National Assembly of Turkey.
Reminding that it is stated in the Presidential Circular published on November 25, that “digital violence against women will be combatted” Saki said: “Women and LGBTI+s are exposed to various forms of digital violence attacks due to their education, age, ethnicity, political views, sexual orientation, gender identity or relationship status.”
“Targeting and hate campaigns that start all of a sudden can spread very quickly”
Saki continued as follows:
In digital environments, women and LGBTI+s are targeted by violence in a variety of ways, such as trolling, verbal harassment, sexual blackmail, non-consensual sharing of intimate images, manipulation of photographs, cyber stalking, disclosure of data and information, threats of sexual violence and hate speech. These forms of digital violence are perceived as minor incidents, despite their serious impact on victims. In most cases, the violence starts online but then turns into physical threats and attacks, creating a sense of insecurity for women and LGBTI+s.
The report titled “All of a Sudden: Research on Digital Violence against LGBTIQ+ Communities in Türkiye” published by Kaos Gl Association in October, indicates that nine out of 10 LGBTQI+ persons are victims of digital violence. All in all, it is fair to say that digital violence rates increase when the victims belong to LGBTQI+ communities. Digital violence and hate campaigns are not limited to the virtual environment; they escalate to physical and judicial violence against LGBTQI+ people. Targeting and hate campaigns that start all of a sudden can spread very quickly. Left unchecked, digital violence causes many physical, social, psychological and economic problems. While pro-government trolls target women and LGBTI+ people every day, can it be credible to talk about fighting against digital violence in a Presidential Circular?”
CLICK - “Hate campaigns against LGBTI+s escalate to physical and judicial violence”
“We are here to say that LGBTI+ phobia is not an option”
Saki also spoke about the curriculum change in Turkey and underlined that starting a family will base on “fıtrat”(nature).
“We know what the ‘strong family system based on fıtrat’, which has been on our agenda more and more lately and is shaped by Islamism, does and promises to women and children. With the discourse of fıtrat, the government forces women into domestic exploitation, male violence, giving birth to three children and being imprisoned in the family. Through the education of children, the government aims to convince women at an early age that they have no other choice. Only two weeks ago, on November 25, we gave our answer on the streets to this mentality that tells women ‘the only thing you can do in life is to get married, obey your husband, have children and if you want to work, work cheaply and flexibly and do housework.’ We were on streets to say that we would not be acceptable women and LGBTI+ phobia is not an option against the family policy of the ruling party.”
Tags: human rights, women, family
