Where to Turn in Cases of Violence Against Women?

🚨 EMERGENCY HOTLINE NUMBERS

If you are experiencing violence, you have both physical and legal protection rights. You can seek help without hesitation.

What Should You Do in an Emergency?

Violence against women can be physical, emotional, economic, sexual or psychological. Regardless of the type of violence, your safety and peace of mind are what matter most. In an acute emergency, you can call for help immediately without delay.

In case of physical danger (risk of injury or ongoing attack):

• 112 (Emergency Medical Services / Ambulance) — Check for physical injuries such as wounds, bruises or bleeding. If needed, legal documents that may be issued at the hospital (injury report, medical certificate) can be used.
• 155 (Police Line) or 156 (Gendarmerie Line) — If a crime has been committed (beating, threats, sexual assault, etc.), you can go to the nearest police station or gendarmerie outpost and file a report. Authorities will initiate the necessary investigation.
• Go to a safe place — If possible, go to a nearby family member, friend or neighbor. Moving away from the violent environment is the most important first step.

If you want to ask for help by phone:

• Speak as clearly and concisely as possible. Provide information like "I am being harmed", "I need help", "My address is: [Your Address]".
• While waiting for police or ambulance, try to move to a safe place (a locked room, neighbor's home, public area with many people).
• If there are witnesses, their presence is important (incident details will be documented).

ALO 183 Social Support Line (Violence Hotline)

183 — 24 hours, every day, FREE and confidential

Operated by the Ministry of Family and Work, this hotline provides guidance on all social support requests, especially violence against women. You can receive various types of help from counselors over the phone, from legal and psychological advice to practical recommendations.

When should you call ALO 183?

• If you have experienced physical, sexual, emotional or economic violence
• If you are worried about threats of violence in your family or close relationships
• If you want information about shelters or emergency accommodation support
• If you need legal advice, support with divorce proceedings, alimony or custody matters
• If you are looking for psychological support and therapist recommendations

Important: ALO 183 is confidential. Your name is not used and no one is informed. It is a conversation known only to you and the counselor. There is no need for fear or shame — thousands of women call this line every day.

Applying for Shelter Services and Emergency Protection

For women experiencing violence in their homes, family environments or close relationships, there are shelters operated or supported by the State.

What do shelters offer?

• Safe accommodation — You can stay in a place where no one can find you, for as long as needed.
• Basic needs — Food, clothing and hygiene products are fully provided.
• Legal advice — Legal support with protection orders, divorce, custody, alimony and other legal matters.
• Psychological support — Counseling and therapeutic support from social workers and psychologists.
• Childcare — Education, play areas and safe environments for children.
• Vocational guidance — Job search, educational programs and economic independence projects.

How do you apply for a shelter?

• By calling ALO 183 — Counselors can arrange placement in the nearest available shelter.
• Directly through the Local Mayor's Office or Provincial Administration — You can apply to your district mayor's office or provincial governor's office and request shelter.
• By informing police or gendarmerie — Security forces can also relay your shelter request.
• University counseling centers — If you are a student, your school's guidance service can help.

No charge: Shelter services are completely FREE. You can take shelter even if you have no money.

KADES (Women's Family Counseling Information and Education System)

KADES is a smartphone application that directly connects women to police and their loved ones in emergencies — a stylish and discreet tool.

What Does the KADES Application Do?

• Emergency SOS button — In case of violence, you can activate a voice alarm through the application or via a wristband.
• Police notification — When the button is pressed, your location and request are automatically sent to the nearest police service.
• Notification to trusted people — At the same time, emergency SMS alerts are sent to selected family members or friends.
• Location tracking — If you are under threat, your movement route can be monitored.
• Guidance and information — Access summary information within the app about legal rights, shelter information and hotline numbers.

How Do You Download KADES?

You can search for "KADES" in Google Play Store and Apple App Store and download it. When installing the application, you need to register your phone number and identification information (which is completely secure and kept confidential).

Tip: Download and activate KADES, but it will be faster to reach for it in such emergencies. If you don't have access to a smartphone, keep the ALO 183 number handy.

Documenting Violence and Legal Steps

Experiencing violence means you have legal rights. Documenting the violence is very important to be able to benefit from these rights.

Where Do You Report Violence?

• Go to the nearest police station / precinct — You can apply as someone who has experienced violence. Police will document the incident and initiate the documentation process. If there are witnesses, be sure to mention them.
• To a nurse, doctor or health facility — If you receive treatment at a hospital, if you mention that the doctor's visit is due to violence, an official medical report will be issued.
• To the prosecutor or before a judge — You can file an official complaint (with the help of any lawyer or by using legal aid).

Why Is Documentation Important Even Without Legal Barriers?

• You can get a protection order — The court can issue a restraining order against the person using violence, preventing them from contacting you.
• You can pursue criminal charges — Physical violence, threats and sexual assault are crimes and are prosecuted.
• You can be strengthened in alimony, custody and property division cases — A record of violence can work in your favor in a divorce case.

Legal Aid and Legal Support

• Turkey Bar Association Legal Aid — FREE — Women below the income threshold can file legal cases with lawyer representation at no cost.
• Legal advice at ALO 183 or shelters — Institutional lawyers follow up on their cases.
• Local bar association support services — You can apply to the bar association in your province for legal aid.

ŞÖNIM Centers (Violence Prevention and Monitoring Centers)

In recent years, "Violence Prevention and Monitoring Centers" (ŞÖNIM) have been established in many provinces in Turkey. These are centers managed by specially trained and educated personnel.

ŞÖNIM's Functions:

• Providing support to women and children at risk of violence
• Identifying the counseling, protection and rehabilitation needs of violence survivors
• Planning shelter or safe accommodation
• Coordinating with police and judiciary to speed up the legal process
• Providing monitoring and supervision to prevent violence from recurring

You will be referred to ŞÖNIM by ALO 183 or you can directly contact your provincial governor's office to get information about your district's ŞÖNIM center.

Other Important Resources and Hotlines

If You Are Experiencing Violence With Your Child

• ALO 183 — You can get advice about your child's safety.
• 112 — Can also be used for child abuse.
• ÇIMER (Child Abuse Reporting Line) — If you suspect child abuse, you can report it.

Psychological Trauma and Coping Support

• Shelter or ŞÖNIM psychologists — Trauma treatment and psychological support after violence.
• University mental health centers — If you are a student, school therapists provide free services.
• Worker Health Associations — In some places, coping therapy is offered to working women.

Economic Independence and Employment Support

• İŞKUR (Turkish Employment Agency) — Vocational training and job search support programs for violence survivors.
• Shelter training workshops — Participate in courses while staying in the shelter (sewing, computer skills, management, etc.).
• Small and Medium Enterprises Development (KOSGEB) — You can apply for entrepreneurship loans and guidance.

Education and Community Integration

• State Education Institutions for Violence Survivors — Programs for people who have experienced violence to return to school.
• Mayor's Office and Provincial Social Services — You can request financial assistance, loans, scholarships and educational support.

After Experiencing Violence: Community Support

Violence is not a single moment; you need support afterwards. Feeling overwhelmed, degraded, afraid, angry, ashamed is completely normal. Nothing is your fault.

Recommendations for Psychological and Social Recovery:

• Remember you are not alone — Thousands of women face the same situation every day and are getting help.
• Tell trusted people — Try not to hide it from family, friends or social workers.
• Do not reject therapeutic support — Recovery with a psychologist or social worker is faster.
• Group therapies and support groups — Talking to women with similar experiences is empowering. Many shelters organize these groups.
• Respect your body — It is common to lose bodily sensation after violence. Physical exercise, massage, yoga and similar activities help recovery.
• If you are struggling with substance or alcohol abuse — Request support from ALO 183 or AMATEM (Alcohol and Drug Addiction Treatment Center).

Reminder: Recovery after violence may not be quick, and that is normal. Be patient, take good care of yourself, find supporters. You may experience hair loss, sleep disturbances, quick anger with others — these are all signs of trauma and will be temporary.

Quick Guide: How to Apply Depending on Your Situation?

Situation	First Step	Number
Acute physical danger (risk of injury)	Call ambulance or go to hospital	112
Crime report (beating, threats, sexual assault)	Go to police / gendarmerie precinct or call	155 / 156
Psychological / emotional / economic violence	Talk to counselor, get guidance	ALO 183
Home danger / need for emergency accommodation	Request shelter placement	ALO 183
Ongoing threat / need protection order	Press emergency SOS button / call police	KADES or 155

Kibele's Role: Strengthening the Support Network

As Kibele Association, we carry out projects that strengthen and complement state services against violence against women. We support this effort with technology and compassion.

Support Services Kibele Provides to Women:

• Wearable Security Technologies — Smart wristbands and necklaces with emergency buttons, voice-activated devices and camera integrations allow instant help calls in risky situations.
• Shelter and Legal Support for Victims of Violence — Shelter accommodation, nutrition and personal care needs as well as legal advice and divorce case follow-up.
• Vocational Training and Economic Independence — Through educational courses, entrepreneurship guidance, e-commerce and marketing training, helping achieve self-sufficiency.
• Psychological Support and Community Integration — Therapeutic support from volunteer psychologists, social integration and new start projects.

You Can Help Too: If you know someone, suspect violence in your circle, or want to volunteer, contact Kibele. You can join this network as a volunteer counselor, support group moderator, legal advisor or through financial donation.

Reference Sources

• Ministry of Family and Work — ALO 183 Social Support Line — Official site: aile.gov.tr
• Women's Solidarity Association and Shelter Association — Detailed information on shelter services
• Turkey Bar Association — Legal Aid Guide — Legal support resources
• Ministry of Interior — KADES Application — Download and user guide
• Ministry of Health — National Action Plan Against Violence — List of institutions and projects

Publication Date: 2026 | Sensitivity Note: This article describes guides and services officially recognized and approved by official sources in Turkey. If your situation is urgent, please contact any of the hotlines mentioned here immediately. All numbers and institutions in the content are active and available 24 hours.

Don't Stay Silent, Speak Out

Violence grows in silence. Speak up, get help, and contribute to helping others. As Kibele Association, you are not alone. We are here.

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