Domestic Violence against Women in Turkey
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| Source: Daily Sabah |
by Denise Nanni, ProMosaik Italia, 18 June 2016.
The data on domestic violence
The Hacettepe University Institute of Population
Studies conducted a research, implemented by the Ministry of Family and Social
Policies the General Directorate on the Status of Women in 2013-2014.
Studies conducted a research, implemented by the Ministry of Family and Social
Policies the General Directorate on the Status of Women in 2013-2014.
The results of this research were published in
December 2014, in a summary report called “Domestic violence against women in Turkey”.
This research is the follow-up of a previous study published in 2009 (“Research
on Domestic Violence against Women in Turkey”).
December 2014, in a summary report called “Domestic violence against women in Turkey”.
This research is the follow-up of a previous study published in 2009 (“Research
on Domestic Violence against Women in Turkey”).
The data of the research were collected by using
quantitative and qualitative research methods. The quantitative study has been
conducted throughout Turkey, in the target sample of 15,072 households
representing 12 statistical regions, urban and rural areas through face-to-face
interviews with women aged 15-59.
quantitative and qualitative research methods. The quantitative study has been
conducted throughout Turkey, in the target sample of 15,072 households
representing 12 statistical regions, urban and rural areas through face-to-face
interviews with women aged 15-59.
The qualitative study component
primarily focused on the process of institutional application that women use to
combat violence, as well as opinions and suggestions on Law number 6284 on the
Protection of the Family and the Prevention of Violence against Women, which is
one of the critical steps taken for combating violence against women.
primarily focused on the process of institutional application that women use to
combat violence, as well as opinions and suggestions on Law number 6284 on the
Protection of the Family and the Prevention of Violence against Women, which is
one of the critical steps taken for combating violence against women.
Since the aim of the quantitative
study is the prevalence of violence and the efforts engaged in towards the
struggle against violence against women, the information is only gathered from
women.
study is the prevalence of violence and the efforts engaged in towards the
struggle against violence against women, the information is only gathered from
women.
Nevertheless, in the qualitative
study, the opinions of young males and males who have been found guilty of
domestic violence are also included.
study, the opinions of young males and males who have been found guilty of
domestic violence are also included.
The research gives important hints on trends and
characteristics of gender-based violence in Turkey.
characteristics of gender-based violence in Turkey.
In regards to violence perpetrated by intimate
partners, 36% of ever-married women reported having experienced physical
violence during their life (8% within the last 12 months). This percentage
differs between regions, with the highest rates in Central Anatolia. Throughout
the country, 12% of ever-married women states having been object of sexual
violence during their lifetime (5% within the last 12 months). Even in this
case the rate differs between region, and Northeast Anatolia has the highest
rate.
partners, 36% of ever-married women reported having experienced physical
violence during their life (8% within the last 12 months). This percentage
differs between regions, with the highest rates in Central Anatolia. Throughout
the country, 12% of ever-married women states having been object of sexual
violence during their lifetime (5% within the last 12 months). Even in this
case the rate differs between region, and Northeast Anatolia has the highest
rate.
The most common forms of violence are emotional
violence and abuse; with this expression we indicate every behaviour aiming to
belittle, humiliate, scary and threaten a person. 44% of women experienced this
kind of violence in their lifetime, and 26% in the last 12 months. Economic
violence/abuse is any behaviour preventing a person from working or causing
him/her to quit the job, depriving one person from her/his own income and not
giving money for household expenses. The portion of women who experienced this
kind of abuse is 30% during their lifetime and 15% during the last 12 months.
violence and abuse; with this expression we indicate every behaviour aiming to
belittle, humiliate, scary and threaten a person. 44% of women experienced this
kind of violence in their lifetime, and 26% in the last 12 months. Economic
violence/abuse is any behaviour preventing a person from working or causing
him/her to quit the job, depriving one person from her/his own income and not
giving money for household expenses. The portion of women who experienced this
kind of abuse is 30% during their lifetime and 15% during the last 12 months.
Domestic violence seems to be influenced by regional and
local characteristics, but even the level of education constitutes an important
factor: exposure to violence decreases with the increase of the level of women’s
education. Wealth level is another factor: in fact, 31% of women with a high
wealth level have been subjected to lifetime violence (against the 43% of women
with a low wealth level). However, these data imply that eliminating economic
problems and related pressures is not enough to end domestic violence.
local characteristics, but even the level of education constitutes an important
factor: exposure to violence decreases with the increase of the level of women’s
education. Wealth level is another factor: in fact, 31% of women with a high
wealth level have been subjected to lifetime violence (against the 43% of women
with a low wealth level). However, these data imply that eliminating economic
problems and related pressures is not enough to end domestic violence.
The comparison with the data of 2008 shows that there
are not significant changes in the domestic violence ratios.
are not significant changes in the domestic violence ratios.
However, intimate partners are not the only ones committing
violence against women. Overall, 14% of women states being object of physical
violence by other people. The primary perpetrators are fathers, mothers, older
brothers, parents-in-law, and teachers. Nationwide 3% of women reported being
subjected to sexual abuse by people other than their intimate partner: mostly
by strangers, male relatives, boyfriends and work’s colleagues. Emotional abuse
seems to be perpetrated mostly by other women, generally mothers-in-law.
violence against women. Overall, 14% of women states being object of physical
violence by other people. The primary perpetrators are fathers, mothers, older
brothers, parents-in-law, and teachers. Nationwide 3% of women reported being
subjected to sexual abuse by people other than their intimate partner: mostly
by strangers, male relatives, boyfriends and work’s colleagues. Emotional abuse
seems to be perpetrated mostly by other women, generally mothers-in-law.
In Turkey 3 out of 10 women reported having been
victims of stalking; this form of abuse is mostly perpetrated by former
husbands/partner.
victims of stalking; this form of abuse is mostly perpetrated by former
husbands/partner.
Traditional gender roles seem to be accepted by half
of ever-married women, who thinks that men are still responsible for the
women’s attitude and that women should not argue with men in case of
disagreement about something. While 58% of women believes that there is no good
reason for a man to use violence against a woman, the other portion believes
that there could be. Some of the mentioned reasons are cheating or doubt of
cheating, objecting to her partner, neglecting house chores, or refusing to
have sexual intercourse.
of ever-married women, who thinks that men are still responsible for the
women’s attitude and that women should not argue with men in case of
disagreement about something. While 58% of women believes that there is no good
reason for a man to use violence against a woman, the other portion believes
that there could be. Some of the mentioned reasons are cheating or doubt of
cheating, objecting to her partner, neglecting house chores, or refusing to
have sexual intercourse.
One-fourth of women who experienced physical violence
in their lifetime reported having been injured; nearly half of these injuries
had been severe enough to require treatments.
in their lifetime reported having been injured; nearly half of these injuries
had been severe enough to require treatments.
Among women who have been subjected to violence, 19%
of them reported their health conditions as poor (twice than women who had not
experienced violence). This information could imply that perpetrators of
violence may prefer weaker victims, or women with physical problems.
of them reported their health conditions as poor (twice than women who had not
experienced violence). This information could imply that perpetrators of
violence may prefer weaker victims, or women with physical problems.
According to women, the main reasons of violence are
problems with the man’s family (33%), reasons related to the man (28%), and financial
problems (27%).
problems with the man’s family (33%), reasons related to the man (28%), and financial
problems (27%).
Among the interviewed, 44% of women who experienced
physical or sexual violence reported not having told anyone about this.
physical or sexual violence reported not having told anyone about this.
LEGAL FRAME
In Turkey, the issue of violence against women was
brought forward by the women’s movement at the end of 1980s. In terms of
legislation, the first step was Law number 4320[1] on the Protection of the Family enacted in
1998. With the Istanbul Convention, signed in 2011, important steps were taken
for the adjustment of provisions that only aimed to prevent violence within
marriage, which was seen as a significant deficiency of Law No. 4320. Law
number 6284[2] on
the Protection of the Family and the Prevention of Violence against Women,
which has regulations in parallel with Istanbul Convention came into force on
March 20, 2012. The most important key features are:
brought forward by the women’s movement at the end of 1980s. In terms of
legislation, the first step was Law number 4320[1] on the Protection of the Family enacted in
1998. With the Istanbul Convention, signed in 2011, important steps were taken
for the adjustment of provisions that only aimed to prevent violence within
marriage, which was seen as a significant deficiency of Law No. 4320. Law
number 6284[2] on
the Protection of the Family and the Prevention of Violence against Women,
which has regulations in parallel with Istanbul Convention came into force on
March 20, 2012. The most important key features are:
–
It covers all women (married and not);
It covers all women (married and not);
–
Men and/or other perpetuators who violate a protection
order will immediately be subject to three days’ imprisonment;
Men and/or other perpetuators who violate a protection
order will immediately be subject to three days’ imprisonment;
–
Police officers are newly authorized to issue a
protection order as soon as the victim needs protection. There are various
means of protecting victims, e.g., by issuing a restraining order to prevent
the perpetrator of violence from going home, by requiring the perpetrator to
hand over to law enforcement authorities any weapon or similar device in his
possession, by requiring the perpetrator not to be in the close vicinity of the
workplace of the abused and, upon her request, by relocating the victim;
Police officers are newly authorized to issue a
protection order as soon as the victim needs protection. There are various
means of protecting victims, e.g., by issuing a restraining order to prevent
the perpetrator of violence from going home, by requiring the perpetrator to
hand over to law enforcement authorities any weapon or similar device in his
possession, by requiring the perpetrator not to be in the close vicinity of the
workplace of the abused and, upon her request, by relocating the victim;
–
Offenders face a prison term of up to six months for
breaching restraining orders.
Offenders face a prison term of up to six months for
breaching restraining orders.
AWARENESS
Today awareness and information about existing laws still
seem to be limited. The main sources of information are television and radio,
followed by social acquaintances. Most of women (more than 80%) are aware of
the articles of the Turkish Civil Code that establish a legal age for marriage
and the division of property. However, 6 out of 10 women do not know that they do
not need their husband’s permission to work and 3 out of 10 women do not know
that their husband cannot force them to have sexual intercourse.
seem to be limited. The main sources of information are television and radio,
followed by social acquaintances. Most of women (more than 80%) are aware of
the articles of the Turkish Civil Code that establish a legal age for marriage
and the division of property. However, 6 out of 10 women do not know that they do
not need their husband’s permission to work and 3 out of 10 women do not know
that their husband cannot force them to have sexual intercourse.
The law number 6284 introduced important innovations
and tools for women who are victims of violence.
and tools for women who are victims of violence.
Among the preventive cautionary decisions, the
decisions to suspend the perpetrator from the residence and among the
protective cautionary decisions, the decision to provide shelter for the
victims of violence and temporary protection are known the most. More than 80%
of women are aware of these cautionary decisions. These are followed by the
decision for preventing the perpetrator to approach the protected persons. 3
out of every 4 women are aware of this implementation.
decisions to suspend the perpetrator from the residence and among the
protective cautionary decisions, the decision to provide shelter for the
victims of violence and temporary protection are known the most. More than 80%
of women are aware of these cautionary decisions. These are followed by the
decision for preventing the perpetrator to approach the protected persons. 3
out of every 4 women are aware of this implementation.
Another important aspect of domestic violence to be
considered is the rate of feminicide.
considered is the rate of feminicide.
Here you can find the data of the last years (updated
to July 2015).
to July 2015).
CONCLUSION. This overview about numbers and data of
domestic violence in Turkey should not make us forget that gender-based
violence, feminicide and abusing behaviours towards women are not confined into
determinate borders. Globally, 35% of women experienced physical/sexual
violence in their lifetime and in some countries this percentage rises to 70%.
In the European Union 43% of women experienced some form of psychological
violence by an intimate partner in their lifetime. Worldwide 66,000 women are killed every year;
the countries with the highest rate of feminicide are Argentina, El Salvador,
India, Honduras and Mexico.
domestic violence in Turkey should not make us forget that gender-based
violence, feminicide and abusing behaviours towards women are not confined into
determinate borders. Globally, 35% of women experienced physical/sexual
violence in their lifetime and in some countries this percentage rises to 70%.
In the European Union 43% of women experienced some form of psychological
violence by an intimate partner in their lifetime. Worldwide 66,000 women are killed every year;
the countries with the highest rate of feminicide are Argentina, El Salvador,
India, Honduras and Mexico.
Sources:
