The World Health Organization defines violence as: the intentional use of physical force or power, threatened or actual, against oneself, another person, or against a group or community, that either results in or has a high likelihood of resulting in injury, death, psychological harm, maldevelopment or deprivation (1). Violence can target women, men, children and animals. In addition, violence affects people of all ages, races, education levels and socio-economic levels.
According to UNICEF/ A Familiar Face Violence in the lives of children and adolescents report (2); every seven minutes around the world, an adolescent or child is exposed to any form of violence, and sometimes these acts of violence can result in death. The same report states that children and adolescents may encounter serious acts of violence at school as well. Furthermore, around 130 million (more than 1 in 3) students between the ages of 13 and 15 worldwide are exposed to physical or verbal bullying.
According to the report published by the World Health Organization in 2021 (3), 736 million women worldwide are exposed to any type of violence by their partner at least once in their lives, or sexual violence by a man with whom they are not related.
After being exposed to acts of violence, it is vital to get legal and psychosocial support to cope with this situation. First of all, the victim of violence should realize that the violence they are exposed to is a crime. Then, knowing that the perpetrator will be punished for these acts is an issue that needs to be emphasized in terms of the satisfaction of the victim’s sense of justice. However, psychosocial support is a must for victims to cope with the violence they are exposed to and to prevent secondary traumas.
If you have been exposed to any kind of violence, first of all, you should know that you are not alone and that there are resources where you can access legal and psychosocial support. As the Nirengi Association, we implemented the Support System for Abused Children (SSAC) project to provide legal counseling and psychosocial support for children under the age of 18 who are exposed to any form of violence.
Child victims, caregivers or anyone who knows that a child has been exposed to any form of violence can reach the support line and receive information about the legal process. In addition, child victim and their caregivers can access psychosocial support by directly meeting with expert psychological counselors and clinical psychologists. The services provided within the scope of the support line are completely free. You can reach the support line at 0850 216 53 67 between 10:00 and 19:00 on weekdays.
In addition to the support line, it is aimed that victims of violence can access detailed information about the legal process and prevent impunity by following the right steps through the information notes below. With the steps in the guide below, victims will be able to learn what their rights are.
Remember, we believe you. We stand with you. You are not alone!
(1) World Health Organization.(2002). World report on violence and health. Available from | (2) World Health Organization.(2021).Violence Against Women Prevalence Estimates, 2018. Available from| (3) UNICEF.(2017). A Familiar Face Violence in the lives of children and adolescents. Available from
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