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Domestic Violence Perpetrated Mostly by Closest Relatives

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The Federation of Women’s Associations of Turkey (TKDF) has released its “Domestic Violence Emergency Helpline March 2026 Data and Analysis Report,” providing a sobering update on the state of domestic abuse in the country. The findings confirm a persistent and tragic trend: women are most frequently subjected to violence by the men in their immediate circles.

Between March 1 and March 31, 2026, the helpline received 247 calls, highlighting the ongoing need for urgent intervention and support systems.

Domestic Violence Statistics: March 2026

The report breaks down the nature of the calls and the demographics of those seeking help during the month:

  • Total Calls: 247

  • New Cases: 62

  • Shelter Requests: 11

  • Emergency Cases: 1

  • Victim Profile: 96.2% of victims were women, while 3.8% were young girls.

The Most Common Types of Domestic Violence

Domestic abuse manifests in multiple forms, often overlapping. In March, psychological and physical abuse remained the most prevalent:

  1. Psychological Violence: 44%

  2. Physical Violence: 42.8%

  3. Economic Violence: 4.7%

  4. Causal/Sexual Violence: 4.7%

  5. Social Violence: 3.5%

The Perpetrators: A Circle of Intimacy

The data reinforces the reality that for many women, the “home” is not a safe haven. The vast majority of perpetrators are current or former partners:

  • Current Husbands: 43.2%

  • Ex-Husbands: 13.6%

  • Family Members: 11.4%

  • Ex-Boyfriends: 6.8%

Geographic Distribution: Hotspots for Calls

While the helpline received calls from 22 different provinces, certain urban areas showed higher volumes of reporting:

  • Istanbul: 34 calls (Highest reporting districts: Sultangazi, Zeytinburnu, and Küçükçekmece).

  • Ankara: 9 calls.

  • Ordu: 6 calls.

A Growing Record of Intervention

Since its inception on October 15, 2007, until April 1, 2026, the Domestic Violence Emergency Helpline has recorded a total of 101,576 applications. While the majority of these originate within Turkey, the helpline has provided support to individuals in 33 different countries, underscoring the global nature of this crisis and the critical role of Turkish civil society organizations in offering a lifeline to victims.

Source: TKDF

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