How to recognize Psychological Violence?

Psychologist G. Tansu Ocak, one of the founders of Formteg Counseling Center, which brings together nutrition, diet and psychology counseling services, made a statement about 8 March Women’s Day. Stressing that violence against women is not only of physical origin, but also that psychological violence can have devastating results, Psychologist Ocak said, “Women who are exposed to violence experience feelings such as guilt, loneliness and helplessness intensely. This causes psychological disorders such as depression, anxiety disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder, alcohol-substance addiction, psychosomatic diseases with no physical source.

Violence against women is unfortunately one of the biggest problems of our society. In just the first two months of 2021, 48 women died. In the year we left behind, 408 women were victims of violence.

Apart from these figures reflected in the records, Psychologist G. Tansu Ocak, one of the founders of Formteg Counseling Center, drew attention to the different dimensions of violence against women, and pointed out that violence is not only of physical origin, but also that psychological violence can have devastating results. By defining violence, psychologist Ocak shared important information about how we can define physical, psychological, sexual and economic violence.

“GENDER INEQUALITY HAS NEGATIVELY AFFECTS WOMEN’S MENTAL HEALTH”

Drawing attention to the fact that individuals are healthier and more productive in societies where gender inequality is experienced, Psychologist G. Tansu Ocak said, “Gender inequality negatively affects women’s mental health. Gender roles that are imposed on people’s shoulders only because of their gender expose people to things they do not want, which cause extreme stress and anxiety, and all of these adversely affect their mental health. Whereas, gender equality means that people of all genders have equal rights, responsibilities and opportunities. Gender equality prevents violence against women and girls. Countries that value their citizens equally without any discrimination are safer and healthier. This positively affects mental health and forms the basis of a healthy generation.

“BREAKING THE CYCLE OF VIOLENCE IN TIME IS IMPORTANT”

Expressing that accepting and tolerating violence will feed the cycle of violence, Psychologist Tansu Ocak said, “Violence manifests itself in different ways in relationships depending on people’s lifestyle, age and attitude. Sometimes violence can start so small that it is difficult to even describe it as violence. For example, violence may begin as nicknames, economic restraint, or isolation from other human relationships. It is important to break the cycle of violence in time to prevent it from being sustained or escalated. No form of violence, however small, should be accepted or tolerated. When it comes to violence, the first thing that comes to mind is physical violence. However, violence is not limited to this. Violence against women is seen not only in physical but also psychological (emotional), sexual and economic dimensions.

“PSYCHOLOGICAL VIOLENCE IS MORE COMMON BUT LESS KNOWN”

Explaining the types of violence against women, Psychologist Ocak pointed out that psychological, sexual and economic violence, which is little known and unresponsive, can also have devastating results.

Psychologist January types of violence;

“Physical violence; It is the direct damage to bodily integrity by the use of physical force. Slap, kick, punch, push, leave him alone in a place he is afraid of or something, torture, etc. Attitudes and behaviors are examples of physical violence.
Psychological violence; it is generally more common than physical violence but is less known and less responsive. The reason for this is that psychological violence is rarely noticed. Persons who have been subjected to psychological violence are more prone to inflict psychological violence on another person than those who have not been subjected to psychological violence. Threatening, humiliating, excessive and cruel criticism, manipulation, name calling, ordering, swearing, teasing, insulting, emotional neglect, contempt, passive-aggressive behavior (offending, pouting, threatening to leave…) displaying psychological violence is one of the examples. In the studies carried out, one out of every two women in our country is exposed to psychological violence.
sexual violence; It is the exposure of the person to any sexual act without their consent, which disturbs the person. Sexual violence includes both physical and psychological violence. Different from physical violence, sexual violence is an attack on the sexual integrity of the person. However, this attack does not have to be only of a physical nature. Verbal sexual harassment is also sexual violence. One of the damages inflicted on someone who has been sexually assaulted is the trauma caused by the incident, so there is also psychological violence within sexual violence.
economic violence; It is the deprivation of one’s needs economically and the use of money as a means of power, threat and control. Behaviors such as preventing a woman from working or progressing in her job, not paying equal wages for equal work, depriving her of inheritance because she is a woman, confiscating a woman’s salary, leaving people without money or expecting them to live on a small amount, preventing them from saving money are examples of economic violence.

“PSYCHOLOGICAL VIOLENCE IS DIFFICULT TO DETECT”

Stating that psychological violence is mostly perpetrated by family members and it is difficult to notice because it occurs indirectly, Psychologist Tansu Ocak said, “The place where psychological violence is most common is the family environment of women. Psychological violence is difficult to recognize because it is usually perpetrated by the person’s closest relatives. Another reason why it cannot be noticed is that it is done indirectly, not directly. As they are exposed to humiliating, condescending attitudes, victims of violence feel inadequate, bad and guilty, which causes low self-esteem over time and therefore causes them not to be aware of and react to the psychological violence against them.