Turkish actress Hazal Kaya faces year-long harassment ordeal

Turkish actress Hazal Kaya has revealed that she has been dealing with harassment from a persistent fan for over a year, leaving her feeling helpless in the face of escalating threats. Kaya made these remarks during an appearance on YouTube‘s “Ne Olursan Ol Rahat Ol” show, hosted by Sibel Arna, where she bravely opened up about the struggles she’s facing.

‘I’m crying out for help, but no solutions’

Kaya explained that the harassment had reached a point where she feels completely powerless.

“For about a year now, I’ve been subjected to violence. I don’t want to go into too many details and trigger more incidents, but I’m in situations where I’m literally crying out for help and can’t find any solutions,” she said, voicing her frustration over the lack of legal action. She also made an impassioned plea for existing laws to be enforced more effectively, emphasizing that it’s crucial for victims of violence to be protected.

Calls for the return of the Istanbul Convention

During the interview, Kaya touched on the rising cases of violence against women in Türkiye. She urged for stronger legal protection, including the reinstatement of the Istanbul Convention, a landmark treaty designed to protect women from violence.

“We need to remember that those who have lost their lives are not just numbers,” she said. “The laws must be enforced, and the Istanbul Convention must return to safeguard our rights.”

Previous legal battles against harassment

This is not the first time the beloved actress has dealt with harassment. In 2016, Kaya took legal action against a fanatical Iranian admirer who stalked and threatened her via social media, calling her his “wife” and sending her obsessive messages. Despite the court seeking a prison sentence of up to five years, the suspect did not appear at the trial, and authorities were left scrambling to locate him.

More recently, in 2023, Hazal Kaya obtained a restraining order against another individual, identified as O.T., who had repeatedly sent her and her family threatening and abusive messages online. The Beykoz 1st Family Court in Istanbul swiftly ruled in her favor, granting a protection order that extended to her family members. The court determined that the stalker’s persistent pursuit of the actress posed a serious threat and needed immediate intervention under Law No. 6284, which addresses violence against women.

Persistent threats against Hazal Kaya

Despite these legal interventions, Kaya continues to face disturbing threats and harassment. Her recent call for stronger enforcement of existing laws and the return of the Istanbul Convention is a powerful reminder of the challenges faced by women not only in Türkiye but across the world.

Hazal Kaya’s bravery in speaking out against violence and her unwavering call for action serve as an important voice in the ongoing fight for women’s safety and justice.