Prof. Tarhan: "The main cause of violence is indifference that spreads evil"

President of Üsküdar University and Psychiatrist Prof. Nevzat Tarhan attended the Parliamentary Commission on Investigating Violence and Discrimination Against Women. Speaking at the commission, Prof. Tarhan highlighted that between 1994 and 2016, single-person households increased rapidly, while five-person households declined significantly. Stating that “In 2024, at least 394 women were murdered by men, and 259 women were found dead under suspicious circumstances,” Tarhan emphasized that violence cannot be prevented unless the issue of divorce is resolved. He also noted that the main cause of violence is indifference that allows evil to spread.

The Parliamentary Commission on Investigating Violence and Discrimination Against Women convened under the chairmanship of AK Party Istanbul MP Hulki Cevizoğlu. Commission members listened to presentations by the President of Üsküdar University, Psychiatrist Prof. Nevzat Tarhan, and retired faculty member Prof. Aylin Görgün Baran from the Faculty of Literature at Hacettepe University.

"In 2024, 394 women were murdered, and 259 women were found dead under suspicious circumstances."

Psychiatrist Prof. Nevzat Tarhan emphasized that Türkiye ranks first among OECD countries in terms of intimate partner violence. Tarhan stated that  the ‘We Will Stop Femicide’ platform has a 2024 report on violence. This report needs verification; however, I believe it to be accurate. I obtained this report from a publication on Dergipark. According to the 2024 report by the ‘We Will Stop Femicide’ Platform, at least 394 women were murdered by men, and 259 women were found dead under suspicious circumstances in 2024. The statistic of 54% involving husbands or intimate partners is particularly striking.

Additionally, in Türkiye’s violence statistics, the darkest-colored areas indicate the highest levels of violence against women. Another significant statistic is the divorce rate, which aligns with these dark-colored areas, suggesting a correlation. According to statistics on marriage, household fragility is increasing rapidly. Single-person households have grown significantly between 1994 and 2016, while five-person households have declined. These dramatic changes in family structure, the rise in single-parent households, the shrinking household size, and the increasing fragility of households all contribute to this issue. Between 2001 and 2018, while marriage rates increased by only 1.6%, divorce rates rose by 54.8%.

"If we do not manage divorces, we cannot prevent violent incidents."

Prof. Tarhan stressed that violence cannot be prevented unless the issue of divorce is addressed and stated that the main cause of violence is indifference that spreads evil. He stated that “In Türkiye, around 14,000 children are under state protection, and this number will continue to rise if necessary precautions are not taken. The correlation between provinces with high divorce rates and those with high femicide rates clearly demonstrates the cause-and-effect relationship between marriage issues and violence. Therefore, if we cannot manage divorces and marital problems, we will not be able to prevent violent incidents. Measures such as electronic bracelets and restraining orders are short-term solutions with very limited effectiveness. There are also statistics on this issue. Divorce rates vary based on education level and gender. Those with higher education, such as university and high school graduates, have higher divorce rates compared to those with lower education levels.”

"A fear of marriage has emerged."

Commenting on Law No. 6284 on the Protection of the Family and the Prevention of Violence Against Women, Prof. Nevzat Tarhan continued his remarks as follows: “Excessive measures in some areas fuel opposition. Overly strict measures have emerged, and as a result, young people are now afraid of marriage. A fear of marriage has emerged. While Law No. 6284 has raised awareness against violence in society, there have also been cases of misuse. I first learned about this law when it was enacted. In 2014, it was passed without much public discussion. A judge once came to me suffering from severe depression. When I investigated the cause, I found that he had been suspended from duty. The reason for his suspension was that a female lawyer approached him with a request, which he refused to fulfill. The lawyer then falsely accused him of harassment and filed a complaint. Because of the ‘woman’s statement is essential’ rule, he was removed from his position. This is a real case I encountered in my psychiatric practice.”

Üsküdar News Agency (ÜNA)