Turkey to introduce tougher steps against child abusers

A commission to prevent child abuses in Turkey held its first meeting in capital Ankara on Thursday.

During the meeting, which lasted six hours and was chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Recep Akdağ, current measures against child abusers and how these could be further strengthened were discussed.

The commission also addressed reducing risks to child abuse, protecting and rehabilitating victims throughout the judicial process as well as raising awareness of children and families against risks.

Commission members will meet next week again to conclude the legislative amendment proposals.

On Wednesday, Turkish justice minister said that Turkey will take all possible measures against child abusers, including chemical castration.

On Tuesday, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan warned that child abuse cases, which recently saw an apparent spike, could "lead to the collapse of our society".

"It is our responsibility to safeguard the innocent -- who are part of our lives -- from all kinds of threats and danger in addition to raising them and ensuring their survival," he said.

He said those who committed such criminal acts would not get any leeway in the country's executive system.