HAS DOMESTIC VIOLENCE REALLY INCREASED DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC? AN EXAMPLE FROM TURKEY

Year 2024, Volume: 9 Issue: 1, 90 - 98, 29.02.2024

Emine Füsun Karaşahin , Omer Karasahin , Uğur Avun , Cevat Caner Kılıç , Müzeyyen Köksal , Birgül İbişoğlu , Gürsel Bedir

https://doi.org/10.33457/ijhsrp.1406109

Abstract

This study aims to evaluate the frequency of domestic violence based on court orders for treatment issued against perpetrators of domestic violence under Law No. 6284 on the Protection of Family and the Prevention of Violence against Women. We retrospectively analyzed violence cases reported by the court to the provincial health directorate under Law No. 6284 and information recorded by health workers about women who stated they were subjected to violence in 2019, 2020, and the first 6 months of 2021. The data were presented using descriptive statistics. Compared to the pre-pandemic period, the number of court orders for medical evaluation and treatment under Law No. 6284 increased by 333.4% in the first year of the pandemic. In the first 6 months of 2021, this number exceeded the total for 2020. More than half of the perpetrators had at least one addiction. Although health workers continue to provide service under the extreme circumstances brought about by the pandemic, they have a social responsibility to act with an awareness of violence in all areas of service provision (even contact tracing) and remain vigilant for signs of violence, especially in women.

Keywords

COVID-19, domestic, Turkey, violence, women

Ethical Statement

The study was approved by the Clinical Research Ethics Committee of the Regional Training and Research Hospital on April 19, 2021 (Erzurum BEAH KAEK 2021/08-161). Owing to the retrospective nature of the study, the need for informed consent was waived. The study was conducted in accordance with the principles of the Declaration of Helsinki.

Supporting Institution

None

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