A bill proposed by the ruling Party of Justice and Development (AKP) in Turkey has enjoyed mixed reception in Parliament and among the public.

Under the draft amendments, perpetrators of sexual abuse of children may avoid being prosecuted if they get married to the victim.

The legislation, if approved, would apply to cases of sexual abuse committed before November 16 "without force or threat," the draft reads according to Hürriyet Daily News.

In cases of agreement, the sentence will be postponed or the exection of the offence will be adjourned.

Civil marriage under 18 is illegal, but one through religious ceremonies is a matter of tradition in some parts of Turkey.

With early marriages being "common" (albeit prohibited) in Turkey, some 3000 men are currently in jail due to the current law, the paper quotes Justice Minister Bekir Bozdağ as saying.

Thus people who contract early marriages in accordance with "the traditions of families" are now being persecuted by the law, in his words.

Prime Minister Binali Yıldırım for his part argues there are "families who do not know the law" and whose children "have to go to jail." He also maintains "the victimization of those 3000 families will be "eliminated for just one time."

A vote on the bill is due November 22, after the proposal gained initial acceptance in Parliament. The opposition CHP party believes the law may encourage forced marriage.

The Federation of Women’s Associations has criticized the draft, with its chair arguing early marriages should be banned.

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