The third installment of the ÜSÇÖZÜM Training Series, organized in collaboration with Üsküdar University Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences and the Solution-Focused Women's Issues Application and Research Center (ÜSÇÖZÜM), took place. In the seminar titled “Combating Violence Against Women and Early Age Forced Marriage,” different types of violence such as physical, psychological, economic, and cyber were discussed. Participants were guided on institutional support mechanisms and legal processes that victims can access without feeling guilty.
The coordinator of the event, held at the Üsküdar University South Campus Fuat Sezgin Conference Hall, was ÜSÇÖZÜM Director Prof. Feride Zeynep Güder.
Asst. Prof. Melda Enginsu from the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Department of English Translation and Interpreting, moderated the event, while Ayça Bulut, Social Service Expert from the Violence Prevention and Monitoring Center (ŞÖNİM), was the guest of the program.
Asst. Prof. Melda Enginsu: “Organizing these series is very valuable”
Asst. Prof. Melda Enginsu stated that organizing such event series is very valuable; “Combating violence against women is something I emphasize greatly in my classes. My students know this too. Organizing these series is truly valuable for us because we gain both awareness and learn about administrative and legal regulations that we might not know,” she said.
Ayça Bulut: “Every citizen has a reporting obligation”
Ayça Bulut, Social Service Expert from the Violence Prevention and Monitoring Center (ŞÖNİM), who gave a presentation within the scope of the program, provided comprehensive information on combating violence against women and early age marriages.
Bulut, discussing violence and its types, defined violence as any behavior that harms a person's physical, mental, or social integrity, and emphasized that violence has not only physical but also verbal and psychological dimensions. Bulut; “When we look at the definition and types of violence, for us, violence encompasses any behavior directed at oneself, another person, or a group, whether in the public sphere or in the private sphere—meaning within the household—or in a public area like a park or on the street, that causes harm to a person's physical integrity or biopsychosocial integrity. This behavior does not necessarily have to be physical; it also includes verbal behaviors. Whether in the public or private sphere, within the household or not, every citizen has a reporting obligation in this regard,” she said.
“Preventing early age marriages is an important issue for social welfare”
Bulut, who also mentioned legal rights, protective measures, and institutional support mechanisms in her presentation, also focused on early age forced marriages. Bulut stated that these marriages have serious biopsychosocial effects on both girls and boys and trigger the cycle of violence; “According to the Turkish Civil Code, the marriage age is subject to specific conditions. While individuals who have completed 18 years of age can marry without any permission, 17-year-olds can marry with the consent of their legal representatives, and 16-year-olds with a court decision. Marriages conducted outside these conditions are considered early age marriages. Comprehensive trainings on early age marriages are provided by the Provincial Directorate of Family and Social Services to village headmen before they start their duties. These trainings provide information on the procedures to follow in potential situations, application mechanisms, and reporting processes to relevant institutions. The prevention of early age marriages is addressed as an important issue for the healthy development of individuals and social welfare. Preventing such practices contributes to reducing negative social consequences that may arise in the future,” she said.
We have a reporting obligation for violence incidents…
Social Service Expert Ayça Bulut emphasized that every citizen, especially public officials, has a reporting obligation regarding incidents of violence, and the importance of calling 112 or 183 when there is a risk to life safety.
After the talk, the question and answer session began.
The program ended with a group photo session.
