Understanding sexual assault and consent

Sexual assault is defined as “any sexual contact or behavior that happens without clear, voluntary, and informed consent”(rainn.org). According to a report by Kadir Has University, over 40% of women have experienced physical or sexual violence at least once in their lives, and 93% have been subjected to sexual and gender-based harassment in Türkiye. This is an extreme humanitarian and safety issue which must be tackled in the near future, as young women and girls now feel unsafe in their home country. Every woman deserves the right to feel safe and comfortable where they live and should not feel fear every day they leave their house, or even while they are in their place of residence. 

The difference between sexual acts in general and sexual assault relies on the existence of an extremely important term; consent. Consent can be defined as permission given willingly and clearly for something to happen or to agree on something. In the case of sexual acts, consent can be described as “an unambiguous, affirmative and conscious decision by each person to engage in mutually agreed-upon sexual activity”. This article will elaborate on sexual assault in Türkiye and consent.

By: Derin Sönmezalp