Üsküdar Üniversitesi Founding Rector Psychiatrist Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan was a live broadcast guest on the 'Gün İçinden' program broadcast on Ulusal Kanal. Making evaluations on the topic 'Why Has Violence Against Animals Increased?', Tarhan pointed out that the tendency for violence has increased globally. Reminding that one of the underlying reasons for violence is a lack of empathy, Tarhan stated that selfish people are those most resorting to violence. Tarhan stated that none of the dogs that appear to be stray in our culture are actually stray, but are cared for by locals, neighbors, and children, adding that a major cultural change is being experienced. Tarhan also noted that placing animals in shelters is not a solution.
"A characteristic of humanity's malevolent side..."
Üsküdar Üniversitesi Founding Rector Psychiatrist Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan, drawing attention to the general increase in the tendency for violence, emphasized that this increase is global. Tarhan stated; 'There is a general increase in violence against people, animals, women, the weak and powerless, and this increase has occurred not only in Turkey but globally as well. Animals are also affected by this increase. When analyzing this, it needs to be considered from the perspective of humans, animals, and social psychology. Individuals with high anger and personality disorders try to unleash their anger on the weak and powerless. They direct their anger towards defenseless and vulnerable beings, children, people, the weak, the powerless, and the elderly. This, unfortunately, appears to be a characteristic of humanity's malevolent side.'
"Animals act according to their genetic codes"
Prof. Dr. Tarhan, stating that animals act according to their genetic codes; 'Animals do not have a choice like humans to be infinitely good or infinitely bad. They do what their genetic codes require. If a dog is not rabid or properly trained, it will not harm. Dogs have safe areas they perceive as their own territory. If someone they can overpower, or someone weak and fearful, enters, they will attack. Animals act according to their genetic codes. Therefore, immediately putting animals in the dock would be an extremely unfair practice. They are our mute friends living with us. So, we need to try to understand them. Instead of blaming dogs left unattended and living uncontrolled, we should remember the responsibilities of those who wish to adopt these dogs.'
"Tendency for violence increases in individuals who have experienced childhood traumas"
Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan, mentioning that children exposed to violence during childhood have an increased tendency to commit violence when they grow up, stated that some of these individuals develop antisocial personality disorder. Tarhan said; 'The most important reason behind acts of violence is childhood traumas. Individuals who experience physical abuse and physical neglect in childhood become perpetrators of violence in later life. Especially in children who have been subjected to physical violence, beaten, locked in rooms, raised with fear of fire, in other words, raised with physical abuse, the rates of resorting to violence later in life and applying violence to those weaker than themselves are very high. Violence also occurs in cases of physical neglect. They are confined to home, there are emotional neglects, they are not loved, and the tendency for violence increases in individuals who have experienced childhood traumas. Some also develop antisocial personality disorder. Individuals with this personality disorder have made non-compliance with rules a method and always experience legal problems. They have committed an act of violence, have not received a proper punishment, or even if they have, they have been released from prison without any remorse. When such individuals are released from prison, they make violence a method.'
"One of the underlying causes of violence is a lack of empathy"
Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan, drawing attention to the fact that a lack of empathy is one of the underlying causes of violence; 'When empathy and love combine, a feeling of compassion emerges. People with a sense of empathy are those who can successfully consider the rights, needs, and feelings of those who do not possess them. When love and empathy combine, a feeling of compassion is formed, and this is a social emotion. There is both a tendency not to hurt the other party and it also evokes a sense of inner peace and happiness in oneself.'
"Individuals who learn violence as a method of seeking rights can easily apply it"
Prof. Dr. Tarhan, stating that violence seen in television programs, as much as violence seen within the family, plays a significant role in the perpetration of violence; 'In studies conducted to understand how violence occurs, the primary factor increasing violence is live violence, the person experiencing violence within the family. When an individual learns violence as a method of seeking rights, they can easily apply it. The effects of violence in television programs are being researched. After live violence, violence in games follows. The most effective is live-witnessed violence. Therefore, if a person witnesses live violence in the family, the rate of committing violence in that person is also high.'
"Selfish people are those who resort to violence the most"
Tarhan, stating that selfish people are among the types of individuals who resort to violence the most; 'Selfish people are narcissistic types who say 'me first, then others' for their own benefit. These individuals have no sense of pity; they are adept at crime. They do not feel remorse for their wrongdoings and therefore do not question themselves in any way. That is why empathy training is provided to children, especially those under eighteen, who are placed in rehabilitation centers. The rights and feelings of others are explained. After that, they are released from the rehabilitation center. They are not released into social life without learning this empathy. If you give a few monetary fines to those who commit violence and send them away, someone who commits violence against a dog today will commit violence against their spouse tomorrow. The attitude of society, the stance of the media on this issue, and the approaches of political decision-makers are also important.'
"Taking animals and imprisoning them in a cage, putting them in shelters is not a solution"
Tarhan, drawing attention to the freedom of street animals, emphasized that they should live freely in their own environment. Tarhan stated; 'None of the dogs that appear to be stray in our culture are actually stray. Locals, neighbors, and children care for them. They are not left hungry or exposed; they are cared for. We are experiencing a major cultural change. Animals have also started to be affected by this cultural change. Not everyone behaves well; some behave badly. Animals cannot distinguish whether someone approaching is good or bad. When animals are treated badly, they can become aggressive. Therefore, registering animals would be a more realistic method. Taking animals and imprisoning them in a cage, putting them in shelters is not a solution. Street animals also have freedom. We need to let them live in a free environment in their own habitat. Therefore, instead of an approach that involves placing them in shelters, I believe that volunteer organizations should take action and take ownership of this issue…'