Domestic Relations Court rules for 'economic violence' against woman in Turkey

The Istanbul Domestic Relations Court has dissolved the marriage of a couple, saying the union could not continue in part due to the husband's negligence that resulted in "economic violence." 

"The marriage was so distressed that it couldn't go on as a result of the husband's gross negligence that involved economic violence," the court ruled in a case that could provide a precedent for other divorce cases, daily Habertürk reported on Oct. 31.

The woman, E.A., applied to the court, saying she married her husband, M.A., in 2003 and that they have two children. E.A. stated that M.A. had never worked since that day and never fulfilled his responsibilities. She added that they had been evicted from their houses "countless times" and that the state cut their electric, natural gas and water because the rent could not be paid. E.A. also said she was forced to live with relatives due to the aforementioned reasons and consequently filed for divorce. 

The court ruled that the cutting of electric, water and natural gas and the evictions due to unpaid rent occurred due to the irresponsible behavior of the husband and ruled that M.A. had neglected his duties. 

Violence against women is a major issue in Turkey, and 35 women were killed in September alone while 44 others were subjected to sexual violence, according to a report released by the Kadın Cinayetlerini Durduracağız Platformu, a women's rights activist organization that keeps track of violence against women.