Violence against women can be experienced not only physically, but also economically, sexually and emotionally. Emotional violence occurs in the form of excessive criticizing, threatening, humiliating, insulting, embarrassing, not communicating at all, emotionally neglecting, lying, belittling and ignoring.
Stating that psychological violence causes stress and trauma as well as severe psychological problems such as depression, experts point out the importance of support and timely intervention.
November 25, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, was declared by the United Nations General Assembly in 1999. Within this framework, various events are organized every November 25 in all countries, and efforts are made to bring the issue of violence against women to the agenda, discuss it and raise awareness.
Üsküdar University NP Etiler Medical Center Specialist Clinical Psychologist Meral Sarıkaya said that violence against women is not only physical but also emotional violence.
Violence has both physical and emotional dimensions
Stating that violence is defined by the World Health Organization as "physical violence against oneself, another person, a group or a community, and the threatened or actual intentional use of physical violence and power against oneself, another person, a group or a community, which results or is likely to result in injury, death, psychological harm and loss", Specialist Clinical Psychologist Meral Sarıkaya said that violence against women is defined as "All kinds of attitudes and behaviors that result in physical, psychological, economic and sexual harm due to the gender of the individual".
Psychological violence occurs when emotional power is used
Expert Clinical Psychologist Meral Sarıkaya said, "Physical violence occurs when physical power is used to control, humiliate and punish women, psychological violence when emotional power is used, sexual violence when sexual power is used, and economic violence when superiority is established by using material power. According to the research on domestic violence against women in Turkey (2009), 39% of women across the country have experienced physical violence and 42% have experienced sexual violence, while 42% have experienced at least one of the two types of violence."
Excessive criticizing and humiliating is emotional violence
Stating that emotional violence (psychological violence) is applied in order to gain power in the relationship and to take control of the relationship, Specialist Clinical Psychologist Meral Sarıkaya said, "People who use emotional violence are mostly trying to establish authority over the other person and give messages that contain threats. Some of these are; excessive criticizing, threatening, humiliating, insulting, embarrassing, not communicating at all, emotionally neglecting, lying, belittling, ignoring."
Anxiety disorder, addiction and depression may develop
Noting that psychological violence leads to the emergence of different psychological problems over time and causes the person to feel feelings of worthlessness, Sarıkaya said: "Women exposed to violence experience intense feelings of guilt, loneliness, fear, helplessness, insecurity, tension and restlessness, and as a result, acute stress disorder in these individuals, Many psychiatric disorders such as post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety disorders, alcohol and substance addiction, depression, self-harm behaviors or suicide attempts may also be observed."
Violence in childhood leads to violence
Noting that individuals who experienced violence in childhood have an increased risk of "becoming a violent adult", Sarıkaya said, "Witnessing violence in childhood may also be associated with increased violent behaviors. The continuation of violence in the family without intervention can lead to many immediate and long-term psychological problems in children, as well as being modeled by the child, being applied as a solution to problems, and in this way, it can lead to the transmission of violence from generation to generation. While 30% of abused children use violence in adulthood, this risk is only 2-4% in those who are not abused."
Meral Sarıkaya stated that the prevention of violence against women starts with the society's awareness of the existence of such a problem and that the participation of men in these awareness raising activities should be ensured.
It is important for women to learn the institutions they can ask for help
Expert Clinical Psychologist Meral Sarıkaya said that women who have been subjected to violence can feel themselves in uncertainty with fear and have difficulty in putting their help-seeking behavior into action with a feeling of helplessness. For this reason, she said that it is important for women who have been subjected to violence to be informed and aware of the resources they can get help and support. Meral Sarıkaya listed her recommendations as follows:
"When faced with such a situation, they should immediately apply to institutions where they can receive support. They should continue their struggle to rebuild their lives in an environment where they will not be subjected to violence. At this point, psychiatric and psychological treatment of women exposed to violence constitutes an important step. If a psychiatric disorder has emerged, it is of primary importance for them to receive psychiatric treatment and psychotherapy support in order to get stronger and to rebuild their lives.
Women who have been subjected to violence can receive support from the following institutions: Family, Women, Children and Disabled Social Service Hotline Alo 183, ALO 155 Police Hotline, ALO 156 Gendarmerie Hotline, 112 Emergency, 0212 656 96 96 Domestic Violence Emergency Hotline. They can receive counseling, guidance and guidance services free of charge at the Provincial Directorate of Family and Social Policies or District Directorate of Family and Social Policies, Family Counseling Centers and Community Centers. ŞÖNİM (Violence Prevention and Monitoring Center) are units that monitor the perpetrators and victims of violence to ensure that the measures taken against them are effective. These centers provide services in different areas such as legal, psychological, vocational and counseling. In addition, shelters, also known as guesthouses, were established to provide temporary shelter for women who have been subjected to violence or are at risk, together with their children, if any. This service is provided by the General Directorate on the Status of Women of the Ministry of Family and Social Policies, non-governmental organizations, municipalities, district governorships and governorships."
