Introduction

Domestic violence is one of major health crises in the world and in Turkey that threaten the physical and mental health (Erdoğan et al., 2009). According to a report published by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2013, it is reported that the violence is mostly experienced at family environment and against women, one out of every three women in the world is exposed to physical or sexual violence or abused in another way (WHO, 2013). In the studies conducted on domestic violence in Turkey, it has been determined that 32.4- 61.4% of women are exposed to violence (Özyurt et al., 2010; Şahin et al., 2012; Mayda & Akkuş, 2003; Nacar et al., 2009; Güler et al., 2006; Doğanavşargil & Vahip, 2007; Kocacık & Doğan, 2006; Yanikkerem et al., 2006). In the studies, when the types of violence to which women are exposed were examined, it was observed that the women were exposed mostly to physical violence with the rate of 38.3-64.8% (Doğanavşargil & Vahip, 2007; Kocacık & Doğan, 2006; Cengiz et al., 2010; Şahin et al., 2012); and sexual violence with the rate of 6.3-36.4% (Yanikkerem et al., 2006; Şahin et al., 2012).

Conclusion and Recommendations

In the study, it was found that the rate of women’s violence exposure was high and their probability of suicide was moderate. As the rate of violence exposure of the women increased, suicide risk also increased. In line with these results, it may be recommended to raise awareness and to develop a conscious attitude and behavior towards violence by providing trainings to women.