VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN: A STUDY OF UNDERLYING FACTORS IN TEHRAN FORENSIC CENTER 1380

Across the world, violence against women is a major threat to their physical and mental well-being. This violation of the most fundamental human rights usually takes the form of family or domestic violence. According to global statistics, the rates of death and disability resulting from violence to women of reproductive is comparable to those from cancers and more than those due to car accidents and infectious diseases. Data for this cross-sectional study were collected from women referring to Tehran Forensic Center, with a view to obtaining a realistic picture of violence to women. The women in this study had presented with wounds and injuries inflicted by their husbands. These women had been referred to the Center by family courts to complete legal formalities concerning injury diagnosis and duration of treatment. Data were gathered on 120 subjects randomly selected women who completed questionnaires and interviews. The main factors underlying family violence were examined from five different aspects: behavioral and educational problems (79.2%), financial strain (54.2%), interference by the husband’s family (39.2%), sexual problems (13.3%), and differences in culture and social class (10%). However, many women declared that several factors were contributing simultaneously to the problem of violence. Factors found to have an accelerating or interfering role included the woman’s age and the couple’s education level.