Fighting crime on the backs of victims (column)

My ringtone had a heart attack: it just wouldn’t stop. Error, another email has arrived. Of course I blocked his email and phone number, but that didn’t stop him: there was an endless supply of SIM cards. Whatever you do, I will never forget that feeling of pressure that someone can always reach you. ‘No’ he didn’t understand. And he had never heard of quitting.

Yes, I’m talking Pursuit: a few years ago it was my turn. I helped a customer – how ironic – Pursuit-question. He disagreed with my strategy for the criminal case. When I politely told him to find another lawyer, the door closed. Then there was a communications bombardment. Emails, phone calls, WhatsApp messages. And not only for me, but also for my colleagues. Trust me, those phone calls and emails weren’t pleasant at all. My office address – where I am every day – was papally online. In the end I was afraid that he would suddenly show up at the door. Or chase me home.

Despite several “final warnings,” the gentleman continued for days. I could not continue my studies. It was literally impossible as the phone kept ringing. I didn’t feel safe and quickly ran away. The measure was full and I made a report. And believe me: you don’t just file a complaint, certainly not against a former client. We criminal lawyers demand a lot from our clients. When I was at the police station, I felt my voice being heard. They took my report seriously: the gentleman was lifted from his bed, he had to answer to the judge, he was not allowed to gather and he was not allowed to come within a few hundred meters of my office. If he broke these rules, he would be arrested immediately. Fortunately, M. was silent, peace was restored and above all: I felt safe again.

Many women suffer from stalkers. In the worst case, such a sick obsession even leads to femicide: femicide. One of the most tragic examples is the murder of 16-year-old Hümeyra by her jealous ex-lover Bekir E. in broad daylight in the schoolyard. She had previously reported being harassed multiple times. The police had aimed it at her ex, but she did not let the contact ban stop her. However, the police did not intervene and Bekir E. was not arrested. All the authorities involved did not realize how dangerous she was and therefore Humeyra was in grave danger. Perhaps his death could have been prevented.

are the victims Pursuit It clearly needs better protection. Thirty women are murdered by their partners every year. But little has improved. Humeyra’s death is only used in the controversial lobby to raise the murder limit from 15 to 25 years. It’s a bad idea that doesn’t at least help victims of harassment and femicide. Because: the higher the penalty, the faster you go wrong again.

It gives me a bad taste. Humeyra’s death was used in part to pass this bill, but the increase will not lead to a decrease in the number of criminal cases. Maybe even more. In this way, victims are even less safe because no measures are taken to better protect them. That’s why I want to say this to politicians. war crime to act after the victims, but to take measures to better protect the victims; More police is needed so that the reports are not ignored for years. And the authorities need to communicate better with each other so that the danger of Bekir E.’s future is no longer hidden. Most importantly, take reporting women seriously. In general, you don’t just make a statement.