Half of the Provinces in the Country Lack 'Safe Houses' for Women Victims of Domestic Violence

Fatemeh Babakhani, the CEO of 'Mahr Shams Afarid Safe House', pointed out that there are 17 safe houses for women victims of domestic violence, stating that 'half of the provinces in the country lack safe houses'. She described the average age of residents in these safe houses as between 18 and 34 years. According to a report by the state-run ILNA news agency, Babakhani mentioned that 'Mahr Safe House alone has provided services to over 5,000 individuals daily since 2020 and has accommodated over 100 abused women'. This civil activist added that the youngest resident of this safe house was a 13-year-old mother who had become a victim of child marriage and gave birth in this facility. Babakhani further pointed to the factors contributing to the increase in violence against women, stating that in Iran, cultural and social factors, such as a possessive view of women and weak protective laws, exacerbate violence. The CEO of Mahr Shams Afarid Safe House emphasized the role of safe houses in ensuring security and empowerment, explaining that these centers serve as temporary accommodation for abused women and provide services such as psychological counseling, legal advice, life skills training, and vocational training. The report continues with Farzaneh, a 32-year-old woman who sought refuge in a 'safe house' and was able to rebuild her life. She recounted her life with her aggressive husband, stating that after 10 years of marriage and continuous violence, she managed to leave the house with the help of neighbors and the police and became aware of her legal rights after visiting the safe house. Sara, a 28-year-old, shared that her addicted husband forced her to raise money for drugs and beat her. After a long silence, she approached the police and was transferred to the safe house. Another woman who managed to end the violence against herself is 40-year-old Monijeh, who spoke about the psychological and verbal abuse from her husband, which constantly humiliated her and diminished her self-esteem. However, after realizing that such behaviors also constitute domestic violence, she separated from her husband and found a job. Fatemeh, 28, also spoke about the severe violence from her brother, who beat her and attempted to burn her with gasoline due to her association with a man who intended to marry her. After police and neighbors intervened, Fatemeh was rescued and transferred to the safe house. According to this report, Hassan Ahmadi, a legal expert from the judiciary, stated that the main factors of domestic violence include cultural poverty, economic problems, psychological and personality disorders, lack of legal awareness, and incorrect upbringing patterns. This legal expert added that poverty, unemployment, and financial pressures can lead to family tensions and violence. Additionally, psychological issues such as depression and anxiety or inability to control anger are also cited as effective factors in the emergence of violence. Ahmadi pointed out that in some cultures, violence is accepted as a method for controlling or solving problems, and this issue, due to the lack of legal education, exacerbates violence against women in families. This legal expert called for stricter laws to address domestic violence and facilitate victims' access to judicial and supportive institutions. Officials of the Islamic Republic have been working for over a decade on drafting a law that they claim will protect women from violence, but over the past decade, with several changes to the proposed bill's text by various institutions in the government, judiciary, and parliament, decision-makers in the Islamic Republic even hesitate about using the word 'women' in the title of this bill and insist on using 'ladies' instead. This issue, according to many experts, narrates part of the discriminatory approach of the Iranian government against women. The suicide of a child bride in Mashhad due to 'family disputes' has led to criticism of the duality of laws in Iran following the release of a suspect in a sexual assault case. Gizel Peliko stated: 'We are in a joint struggle against the culture of sexual assault.'