AFAD says measures taken over sexual abuse at refugee camp


The Prime Ministry Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD) made a statement yesterday related to sexual abuse claims at a refugee camp for Syrians in the province of Gaziantep and said all administrative measures were being taken to help victims and prevent future incidents.

A media outlet reported that 30 Syrian children were victims of sexual abuse at the camp by a cleaning worker.

AFAD, which runs Turkey's refugee camps, said the incident in 2015 was already reported to the authorities and a criminal inquiry was underway. It refuted the newspaper's allegations that the agency turned a blind eye to the abuse cases.

The suspect, identified as E.E., was a worker without a past criminal record at the time of his employment, AFAD said. The statement said he was arrested after a tip about the abuse last year. "AFAD closely followed developments regarding the case and took all the administrative measures. The victims were provided with psychological support and measures to prevent a repeat of such cases were taken. We have taken the necessary steps and will continue to do so," the statement added.