Allegations of abuse and neglect at Uşak child care facilities raised in Parliament

Serious allegations concerning the welfare of children in state-run care facilities in Uşak have been brought to the forefront by Sera Kadıgil, spokesperson for the Workers' Party of Turkey (TİP). Kadıgil has formally raised these issues in the Turkish Grand National Assembly, submitting a parliamentary question to the Minister of Family and Social Services, Mahinur Özdemir Göktaş. The accusations, which reportedly span from 2014 to the present, detail a pattern of alleged abuse, neglect, violence, disappearances, and even suicide within these institutions.

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2014’ten bu yana aynı kurumlara yönelik iddiaların sürdüğünü belirterek, tarafına ulaşan ve kamuoyuna yansıyan bilgilere göre Uşak’taki çocuk bakım kuruluşlarında sistematik şekilde devam ettiği öne sürülen olayların üstünün örtüldüğünü, idari ve cezai süreçlerin işletilmediğini ve itiraz eden personelin çeşitli biçimlerde cezalandırıldığı iddialarını gündeme getirdi.

According to Kadıgil's interpellation, information received and reported publicly suggests a systematic effort to conceal these incidents. The claims include allegations that administrative and criminal processes have not been initiated, and that personnel who have raised concerns have faced punitive measures. One particularly disturbing claim involves a staff member identified as D.D., who, despite being found responsible for physical abuse of children under their care in 2025, reportedly had their contract terminated but was subsequently reassigned to a child-focused role.

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2025 yılında 4/D statüsünde çocuk bakım personeli olarak görev yapan D.D. isimli personelin sorumluluğundaki çocuklara fiili şiddet uyguladığının müfettiş raporlarıyla tespit edilmesine rağmen iş akdinin feshedilmediği, önce il müdürlüğünde ardından yeniden çocuk alanında görevlendirildiği yönündeki iddiaları da önergesine taşıdı.

From our perspective at Cumhuriyet, these allegations demand thorough and transparent investigation. The interpellation also brings to light the case of E.K., a mentally disabled child under state protection who allegedly died after falling from a construction site on April 29, 2023, shortly after leaving the institution without permission. Kadıgil is questioning whether any administrative inquiry was conducted into the conduct of the institution's management and relevant staff following this incident. Furthermore, concerns are raised about minors escaping these facilities and sharing inappropriate content online, increasing their risk of sexual exploitation and involvement in crime. The questions posed by Kadıgil seek to uncover the number of children who have escaped in the last five years, the number of those subjected to legal or administrative action due to risks of abuse or exploitation, and the status of investigations into alleged pressure tactics by a deputy provincial director and administrative actions against a child development specialist accused of taking children to venues serving alcohol. The TİP spokesperson also inquires about plans to strengthen personnel selection, oversight, and disciplinary processes within these institutions and the dates of their last inspections. This situation, if true, points to a grave failure in protecting vulnerable children, and the Ministry's response will be closely watched.

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29 Nisan 2023’te devlet koruması altında bulunan zihinsel engelli E.K.’nin kurumdan izinsiz ayrıldığına dair tutanak tutulmasının ardından aynı gece bir inşaattan atlayarak yaşamını yitirdiği iddiası da hatırlatıldı.