Türkiye Adalet Akademisi Dergisi

Öz

The idea of taking sexual crime victims’ statements in an environment independent of courtrooms has become widespread globally, and its effect has been seen in Turkey as well. Starting in 2010, child observation centers were established for child victims of sexual crime, and then in 2017, forensic interview rooms that include all vulnerable/disadvantaged groups and adult victims were started to be established in courthouses. As a pleasing development, the forensic interview rooms have been a great success, and they have been expanded to cover 81 provinces in a short period of time. Additional forensic interview rooms have been opened in some courthouses, and forensic interview rooms have also started to be established in district courthouses. While these developments are encouraging, they are accompanied by the fact that adult victims of sexual abuse globally have less access to forensic interview rooms. It is important to note that adult victims of sexual abuse are also negatively affected by sexual crimes in the short and long term, and need protective, supportive regulations, expert support, and their statement taken in a forensic interview room. The widespread use of the practice of taking statements from vulnerable adult victims of sexual crime in forensic interview rooms will undoubtedly prevent the adult victims from being traumatized or from secondary victimization. Furthermore, numerous studies have shown that the forensic interview room environment can make significant contributions to the disclosure and judgement processes of adult victims of sexual crime. In conclusion, it is believed that the expansion of forensic interview rooms to include more adult victims will be an important step in protecting and supporting victims and vulnerable groups.