Emotional Abuse Causes Psychological Damage

Emotional Violence Causes Psychological Devastation

In 1999, the United Nations General Assembly designated 25 November as the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. Under this framework, various events are organized in all countries on 25 November each year, aiming to bring the issue of violence against women to the agenda, facilitate discussion, and raise awareness. Meral Sarıkaya, specialist clinical psychologist at Üsküdar Üniversitesi NP Etiler Medical Center, stated that violence against women is not only physical but also manifests as emotional violence.

Both Physical and Emotional Violence

Noting that the World Health Organization defines violence as "the intentional use of physical force or power, threatened or actual, against oneself, another person, or against a group or community, that either results in or has a high likelihood of resulting in injury, death, psychological harm, and deprivation," specialist clinical psychologist Meral Sarıkaya defines violence against women as "any attitude and behavior resulting in physical, psychological, economic and sexual harm inflicted on an individual because of their gender."

If Emotional Power Is Used, It Is Psychological Violence

Specialist clinical psychologist Meral Sarıkaya stated, "If physical force is used to control, humiliate or punish a woman, it is physical violence; if emotional force is used, it is psychological violence; if sexual force is used, it is sexual violence; and if material force is used to establish dominance, it is economic violence. According to research on violence against women within families in Turkey (2009), 39% of women nationwide experienced physical violence, 15% experienced sexual violence, while 42% reported experiencing at least one of these two forms of violence."

Criticism and Humiliation Are Forms of Emotional Violence

Specialist clinical psychologist Meral Sarıkaya, noting that emotional violence (psychological violence) is applied to gain power in a relationship and take control of it, stated, "Individuals who inflict emotional violence mostly attempt to establish authority over the other person and largely convey threatening messages. Some of these include: excessive criticism, threatening, humiliating, insulting, shaming, complete communication breakdown, emotional neglect, lying, belittling, and ignoring."

Can Lead to Anxiety Disorder and Depression

Noting that psychological violence over time gives rise to various psychological problems and causes individuals to experience feelings of worthlessness, Sarıkaya warned, "Women exposed to violence intensely experience emotions such as guilt, loneliness, fear, helplessness, lack of self-confidence, tension and distress; as a result, these individuals have an increased likelihood of developing acute stress disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety disorders, alcohol and substance dependence, depression and many other psychiatric conditions, while self-harm behaviors and suicide attempts can also be observed."

Those Who Experienced Violence in Childhood Inflict Violence

Drawing attention to the fact that individuals who experienced violence in childhood carry an increased risk in terms of "becoming a violence-perpetrating adult," Sarıkaya stated, "Witnessing violence in childhood can also be associated with exhibiting increased violent behavior. When violence occurring within families continues without intervention, it can lead to numerous immediate and long-term psychological problems in children, as well as being modeled by the child, applied as a solution to problems, and thus leading to the intergenerational transmission of violence. While 30% of abused children use violence in adulthood, this risk is only 2-4% among those who were not abused." Meral Sarıkaya emphasized that preventing violence against women primarily begins with society's awareness of the existence of such a problem, and stressed that the participation of men must be ensured in these awareness-raising efforts.