A study titled "Domestic Violence against Women in Turkey," conducted by the General Directorate of the Status of Women (KSGM), has revealed that Turkish women do not perceive domestic violence as a serious problem. According to the study 14 percent of women said it was sometimes acceptable for a husband to beat his wife, and 64 percent of women who had been abused did not seek help because they felt it was not a big problem. Some 32 percent of women reported that problems with their husbands´ families were the major cause of conflict and abuse in their relationships. Around 40 percent of women said they had been abused by their husbands or ex-husbands. State Minister for Women´s and Children´s Affairs Nimet Çubukçu said the results of the survey were important and that Turkey must confront this serious problem. Çubukçu vowed to initiate new policies to prevent violence against women.

More: http://www.todayszaman.com/tz-web/detaylar.do?load=detay&link=166687

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Yes, I know some people will defend it by asking ´how is this percentage in your country´? The answer is that I don´t know, but every single case is in my opinion one too many! So don´t feel offended but ask yourself what you can/would do if you think/find out a woman in your neighbourhood is beaten or otherwise abused.

How can this post of almost a month ago suddenly be so high up in the list?

be thankful, trudy.

It´s alwasy surprised me how easily some women accept being beaten at home. I wonder if it´s a matter of how you were brought up or not enough self-confidence or self-esteem. It is by far more awful if the woman´s family doesn´t help her but choose to ignore the problem. What kind of parent would want his child to be treated like a dog?

 It goes much deeper DD. The relationship usually starts with HIM always being in control, being jealous and possessive. The woman is gradually made to feel that she is worthless and that nobody else could love her as much as the abuser. Finally, when the violence begins, she will often blame herself for upsetting him and causing the violence. This is what worries me on this site when you see so many translations about controlling, jealous men....

 What is even more troubling is you see other people who think that being controlling and jealous is just a normal part of behavior.  They tell these young girls...."oh that is just how they are"...."this is how Turkish guys are"....so their bad behavior is excused when it is really the foundation for an abusive relationship. 

 Yes I quite agree, i have so many friends and colleagues who are married to turkish men and as u do we discuss varies bits and bobs about our relationships but quite often you will hear the odd part about him going crazy about something very minor but its just accepted as a part nature for a turkish guy in their eyes. Quite often it wont just be now and again he gets the hump about you going out with your friend one after noon...it´ll be all the time you want to go out alone etc. Obviously i cannot generalise but all bar one of my friends has an element of unhealthy control in their relationships (that goes for the british ones too)

 oh i forgot to add, that most of them always say "he´d kill me if he knew i talked about this"...because they are told that you are not to discuss anything between you and your husband to other people (another way of sweeping a big problem under the carpet)