ISTANBUL, TURKEY – SEPTEMBER 24, 2025 When 25-year-old İrem A. was returning home from a party in the Şehir Muhtar neighborhood, she was noticed by two men, Semir Tarhan and Ömer Konu, who began to follow her. They waited for the right moment, ran up to her, pinned her against a wall, and one of them tried to kiss her. That wasn’t enough for them – one of the men threw her to the ground and attempted to rape her while the other watched, likely waiting for his turn.
Fortunately, the attack was stopped thanks to local residents who witnessed the scene and rushed to İrem’s aid. The attackers were detained by police but were later released to be investigated while free. This, however, sparked strong public outrage, forcing the police to act and arrest both men again.
The incident has sparked a nationwide discussion in Turkey about women’s safety and protection. Many expressed sympathy for the victim and wished for women to feel safe in their daily lives. Some commented that the victim was dressed too provocatively and was somehow responsible – opinions that are completely unacceptable in a civilized society. Only the perpetrator is ever to blame for rape, never the victim.
