Media as a Sanctuary for Women Victims of Domestic Violence

When everything begins with an Instagram post, one cannot expect reactions to come from anywhere other than social media. Nowadays, from Facebook to Twitter and Viber messages, there is a flood of audience reactions to the image of a black eye of a famous television presenter, Azadeh Namdari, a black eye from domestic violence. Although some social media users have pointed to the lack of sufficient evidence to accept Azadeh Namdari's claims of being beaten by her ex-husband, Farzad Hasani, a larger number of users have supported Azadeh Namdari as a victim of domestic violence—violence that is perpetrated by a family member against an individual—violence that, according to the traditions of Iranian society, should not leave the four walls of the home and play with the "family honor." As Hassan Aghakhani, Azadeh Namdari's lawyer, states, all documents of domestic violence against this famous television presenter have been confirmed by forensic medicine and exist in the closed case of this violence. Nevertheless, in the laws of the Islamic Republic, there is no law entitled domestic violence, and a woman who has been beaten by her husband can only refer to a general court and file her complaint. Hassan Aghakhani says: "Just like a woman who has been beaten by a stranger in the street." Hossein Ghazian, a sociologist residing in the United States, also believes that the role of the judiciary in the prevalence and concealment of domestic violence cannot be overlooked. He states: "In the laws, proving domestic violence is very difficult, and in judicial practices, courts pay more attention to the continuation of life for couples than addressing the violence committed. However, in addition to these two, the overall social conditions are also not ready to address domestic violence. On one hand, people consider it a personal issue that should be resolved at home and even believe it should not be expressed or come out of the family boundaries. On the other hand, there is no social provision to support victims of domestic violence, which causes victims to prefer to hide the issue and not speak about it." As Azadeh Namdari's lawyer states, the case of violence against his client is still being processed in Iranian courts, but besides the image of Azadeh Namdari's black eye, Hassan Aghakhani has also mentioned other instances of domestic violence: being imprisoned at home and breaking a mobile phone to prevent any form of communication and threats, none of which are enumerated in the law and are not considered instances of domestic violence. Aghakhani states: "According to existing laws, we cannot file a complaint regarding an individual who has been imprisoned at home for three days without any means of communication with the outside world as violence against them." However, filing a complaint in the courts of the Islamic Republic does not mean that the victim of violence will regain their lost rights. As Aghakhani, a lawyer, states, even in domestic violence cases, the efforts of the prosecution are focused on reconciliation, so that it does not lead to the divorce of the couples. He describes an example of this effort for reconciliation by referring to Azadeh Namdari's case, where during the proceedings, attempts were made for reconciliation, and Ms. Namdari agreed to consent on the condition that she obtained the right to divorce. However, with the continuation of conflicts and beatings, she exercised her right to divorce: "In fact, referring to the court and the proceedings of judicial authorities could not prevent the continuation of Farzad Hasani's violent behavior." Although, according to this lawyer, efforts for reconciliation in the courts are ongoing, the Islamic Consultative Assembly is trying to expedite this matter by approving a comprehensive population and family enhancement plan. Article twenty-five of this plan emphasizes: "The judiciary is obliged to pay special bonuses to judges in divorce cases that lead to reconciliation between couples." The first media protest by a well-known figure This television couple has brought their personal life into the media from the beginning and spoke about their love for each other on live television programs, but this is the first time a famous media figure has published an image of domestic violence against herself on social media and announced that she has been beaten. Hassan Aghakhani states that the pressures and threats from Ms. Namdari's ex-husband left her no choice but to seek refuge in the media. As her lawyer states, Azadeh Namdari has even been threatened after the image was published. Farzad Hasani wrote in an open letter addressed to "the people of the land" that he did not deny the acts of violence but only stated that "he has not been convicted in any of the complaints." According to Hassan Aghakhani, "in the case that led to reconciliation, neither party is convicted." Farzad Hasani, who emphasizes in this letter that "the privacy of individuals belongs to the sacred," ends his letter with two questions regarding the political and personal views of his ex-wife. Hossein Ghazian emphasizes that no authority other than the court can prove the truth or falsity of these claims and states: "A look at what has been placed in the public eye reveals aspects of Iranian society's behaviors. For example, in Farzad Hasani's letter, elements such as appealing to emotions, political provocation, and similar things are used, which shows that such tactics are accepted in parts of society." Farzad Hasani begins his letter with the sentences: "Now, based on the request of my 63-year-old mother and the bond of oath I have taken, I respond." Hossein Ghazian believes that practically a group of people who are influenced by these emotions and provocations provide support to those accused of violence. He states: "Thus, it becomes clear that violence is not executed by an individual but is supported by a network and a culture. By accepting the claims and reasons of these individuals, the possibility of violence expands, meaning that the perpetrators of violence do not act because this act is justifiable and acceptable, and it effectively promotes violence." According to a 2004 study by the Social Affairs Office of the Ministry of Interior, in collaboration with the Women's Affairs of the Presidency and the Ministry of Science, Research, and Technology, it has been determined that 66% of Iranian women have experienced violence at least once since the beginning of their married life.