From ‘angel‘ to ‘monster’: Investigating the refugee charity sex for aid scandal - BBC World Service

Key Concepts

• Sex for Aid: A form of exploitation where individuals in positions of power, often providing humanitarian aid, leverage their influence to coerce vulnerable recipients into sexual acts.
• Vulnerability of Refugees: Refugees, particularly women, are often in precarious situations due to displacement, lack of resources, and uncertain legal status, making them susceptible to exploitation.
• Abuse of Power: Individuals in positions of authority, such as aid workers or community leaders, can exploit their power to take advantage of those dependent on them.
• Fear of Retaliation: Victims of exploitation may remain silent due to fear of losing aid, deportation, or facing further repercussions.
• Disguise and Anonymity: Victims may use measures like veils or pseudonyms to protect their identity when speaking out against perpetrators.

Allegations of Sexual Exploitation by Sadettin Karagoz

This transcript details serious allegations of sexual harassment and assault against Sadettin Karagoz, a figure who presented himself as a humanitarian aid provider. The accounts describe a pattern of behavior where Karagoz allegedly exploited his position to coerce vulnerable refugee women into sexual acts in exchange for essential aid.

Case 1: Initial Encounter and Assault

• Victim's Situation: A woman, identified as a refugee from Turkey, Iran, Somalia, Iraq, or Syria, approached Sadettin Karagoz for assistance. She stated she had helped 4,500 refugee families.
• Karagoz's Initial Approach: Karagoz reportedly expressed interest in the woman, stating, "I felt like he was an angel descending upon me." He then allegedly initiated physical contact, including kissing, and proceeded to assault her. The victim expressed a strong desire not to recall the details of the assault.
• Offer of "Help": Karagoz allegedly offered continued support, saying, "My door is open to you. You can come to me anytime. When you have nowhere to go, come to me and I will take care of you."

Case 2: Exploitation During Aid Request

• Victim's Circumstances: In 2018, another woman sought help from Karagoz's charity due to her child's illness.
• Karagoz's Interrogation: Karagoz questioned her presence, remarking, "Wow! What are you doing here? You're very young, what brings you here?" He inquired about her husband and the status of her marriage, asking, "Why haven’t you divorced your husband yet?"
• Alleged Assault: The victim states that Karagoz then "started assaulting me in a really horrible way." She claims she had to yell for him to stop, fearing rape.
• Threat of Deportation: On a separate occasion, Karagoz allegedly came to her house aggressively, demanding she open the door. When she refused out of fear, he shouted threats, including, "I’m going to have you deported to Syria."

Case 3: Harassment During Aid Distribution

• Victim's Experience: A woman described an incident where, while she was turning to pick up aid, Karagoz "put his hands on my backside."
• Victim's Reaction: She expressed anger and shame, telling him, "You should be ashamed of yourself." She also stated she had heard rumors of his dishonorable conduct but had not believed them. She pushed him away and left the aid.
• Karagoz's Justification: After this incident, Karagoz allegedly sent her nappies for her children and told her, "Don’t get nervous; this is normal. It happens with many women."

Case 4: Attempted Molestation

• Victim's Need: A woman with a young son requiring nappies approached Karagoz for assistance.
• Karagoz's Actions: While holding nappies in one hand, he allegedly "tried to touch my breasts" with the other.
• Victim's Response: She pushed him away and declared, "If this is how you are going to help me, then I do not want it at all," and left the shop.

Impact on Victims and Fear of Speaking Out

• Psychological Trauma: Victims reported feeling "broken," isolated, and fearful after their experiences. One victim stated, "After what happened to me I became afraid. I isolated myself. I would hide in the house."
• Fear of Aid Loss and Deportation: A significant reason for silence is the fear of losing essential aid and facing deportation, especially for those with precarious residency status. One victim stated, "I got very scared because, I feared I would have issues with my temporary residency, so I kept quiet."
• Disguise for Protection: Some women wore niqabs (face veils) to conceal their identities, even if they did not normally do so, to protect themselves when speaking out. Their names were also changed to further protect them.
• Widespread Nature of the Problem: Victims believe that many other women have experienced similar abuse, with one stating, "I was really broken. But there are many women. I’m certain of this. I know some of them very well."
• Influence of the Perpetrator: Karagoz is described as "very influential," leading many friends of the victims to "gave in and gave themselves to him."
• Lack of Recourse: Victims feel that complaining is futile, as "no one will listen to us and no one will care about our issue."

Sadettin Karagoz's Defense and Counter-Arguments

• Denial of Accusations: Sadettin Karagoz vehemently denies all allegations. He stated, "I do not accept any of these accusations."
• Past Investigations: He mentioned that similar accusations were made against him four years prior, leading to investigations that "led to nothing." He also stated that a recent complaint resulted in further investigations and the confiscation of his phone, which also yielded no results.
• Medical Condition as a Defense: Karagoz cited a medical condition, stating he had surgery in 2016 where "My entire lower left side was removed. Including my whole testicle." He used this to argue that the alleged sexual assaults were not possible for him, saying, "No, it’s not possible. At least not possible for me." He also added, "Well, I don't know what kind of illness that is. But I personally don’t have such an urge."
• Discrediting Complaints: He suggested that complaints might stem from individuals he has reported for illegal activities, such as selling heroin and cigarettes. He argued that a small number of complaints (three, five, or ten) would not be credible, implying that a much larger number (100, 200) would be needed to believe the accusations.

Conclusion and Takeaways

The transcript presents deeply disturbing allegations of sexual exploitation of vulnerable refugee women by an individual who was in a position to provide essential aid. The victims' accounts highlight the severe psychological impact, the fear of retaliation, and the systemic barriers that prevent them from seeking justice. Karagoz's defense relies on denial, past inconclusive investigations, and a claim of a medical condition that he believes makes the accusations impossible. The narrative underscores the critical need for robust protection mechanisms for refugees and accountability for those who exploit their power and vulnerability.