Violence against women continues to increase every year. It is not difficult to guess that there is much more than what is reflected in the statistics. We would like to start with the question of how women are psychologically affected by violence.
Violence is a traumatic experience for human life. Although it is not possible not to be negatively affected by violence, the psychological reactions that occur may vary from person to person. Women can receive different diagnoses such as depression, anxiety disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder. The only determining factor here is not the characteristics of the person; Many variables come into play, such as the type of violence, its intensity, its duration, whether the person can receive social support or not, whether the perpetrator of violence is punished, and society's approach to violence.
The most important factors affecting women's mental health are exposure to violence and low income. It is stated that the level In Turkey, the number of women under the influence of both components is increasing. The World Health Organization predicts that one in three women will be exposed to physical or sexual violence in her lifetime. This is a very serious figure.
What are the forms of violence? The first thing that comes to our mind is often physical violence.
Yes, physical violence is often understood as violence against women. However, the accepted definition of violence against women is as follows: Any gender-based action that harms women physically, sexually, economically or psychologically in private or social life is called violence against women. Forcing a woman to do something she does not want, restricting her freedom, or preventing her from working is also violence. Or preventing their expenses, humiliating them, taking away their right to education... Especially verbal, economic and psychological violence continues to exist as a part of our lives in an implicit way.
How aware are women that they also face these aspects of violence?
Especially in the poor and low-educated areas, there is often a habit of violence. Of course, an educated or rich woman can also be subjected to violence; however, there are significant differences in both frequency and coping mechanisms.
Married in Turkey For example, 30% of women do not know that forced sexual intercourse within marriage is a crime. Meeting her husband's wishes is perceived as a woman's duty. Even if a woman contributes to the household by working a job, she does not have a say in how she spends her earnings. Sometimes he doesn't even think he should demand this.
Should the responsibility be placed on women here?
Absolutely not. If the importance of the roles that society assigns to women is ignored, the issue can even be reduced to the individual inadequacies of women. However, there is a social order that forces women into a corner. A girl who is shamed for her sexual identity at a young age, turned into a sexual object, and coded as a "woman" when she menstruates is already condemned to grow up with violence. They want women who don't leave the house, who don't read, who don't think, who don't have a "colt on their belly and a stick on their back", and who don't even have a say about their own bodies. Just recently, a professor at a university announced that he would not vote for women in the elections. Because, in his opinion, the greatest success for a woman was being a mother and a housewife. If such voices can be raised from the most competent educational institutions of the country, it means that there is already a suitable ground for violence. The conclusion reached in the next step; "A woman who doesn't stay at home deserves what she gets," and it happens.
So, how does the process work when you come across a woman victim of violence who applies for help?
Of course, the process is more destructive, especially for victims of physical and sexual violence. It is not easy for a woman who has been beaten, sexually harassed or raped to speak out. Many women victims of sexual violence remain silent because they are ashamed, because they think no one will believe them, or because they are afraid. Look, in the Şule Çet case, which was also reported in the media, there is an allegation that a young woman was first exposed to sexual violence and then killed. Someone can still say, "What was he doing there at that time?" even after death. It's not easy to deal with this while you're alive.
On the other hand, the judicial process is also very tiring. Sometimes it means experiencing the trauma over and over again at every stage. Many women victims of violence want to initiate the judicial process. It doesn't. They are worried about bigger troubles happening to them, and they are not wrong. A significant portion of them return to the home where they were subjected to violence for financial reasons or because they are worried about their children's future. Women do not believe that the state will protect them. Examples such as good behavior discounts in violence cases, women killed despite being suspended, girls wanted to marry their rapist, drive women to despair. On the other hand, we are frequently exposed to the government's discourse that degrades women and sees them as second-class. Each of these statements is violence against women. It also affects social perception, thus legitimizing violence.
Aren't there things that can be done despite all this annoying situation?
Of course there are. For this reason, the rights gained so far are very valuable. From the treatment process to the judicial process; It is very effective in the healing process for the woman to feel that she is not alone at all stages and to know that the criminals will be punished. That's why the struggles for these are meaningful. On the other hand, as a physician and at the same time as a woman who may face violence at any time, I see this when I look at the picture; There is a social order that feeds all this reactionism and inequality. We strive to heal, the existing order makes us sick. We are all running out together in a vicious circle. For this reason, when we talk about the fight against violence against women, I think it is necessary to write the fight against the conditions that create violence at the beginning. On the occasion of November 25, International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and Solidarity, I respectfully salute all women who have resisted at the expense of their lives from yesterday to today.
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