The “Violence Symposium”, organized in partnership with Istanbul Medeniyet University Psychology Student Club and Aydın Medeniyetliler Student Club, aimed at raising awareness on combating social violence, was held on 22 February 2025 in the Red Hall of the Central Classroom Building, open to general participation and free of charge. The event, which brought together experts from different disciplines, enabled the adoption of a holistic approach in the fight against violence.
In the event attended by Public Prosecutor Assoc. Prof. Dr. Cengiz APAYDIN, Prof. Dr. Ali Kemal YILDIZ, Lecturer Enver MENGÜ and Research Assist. İbrahim Şahin ATEŞ as speakers, the concept of violence was discussed comprehensively from the perspective of psychology, law and social work specialties.
In his speech, Prof. Dr. Enver MENGÜ addressed the social dimension of violence, especially how domestic violence and gender-based violence emerged. While explaining the stimuli that individuals are exposed to, MENGÜÇ also detailed the cause and effect relationships of this process. It was stated that this type of violence can include coercion, threats, use of force based on cultural expectations or economic status, and forcing people against their will, in addition to physical assault.
Addressing the concept of violence from a psychological perspective, Res. Asst. İbrahim Şahin ATEŞ explained the nature and formation process of violence from a psychoanalytic perspective. Explaining the classical psychoanalytic theory’s view of violence, ATEŞ discussed the violent tendencies of human beings and criticisms against this theory.
Prof. Dr. Ali Kemal YILDIZ evaluated the legal dimensions of violence and explained how the judicial system against violence should be shaped in order to create a peaceful society. Drawing attention to the perception of impunity, YILDIZ shared legal solutions that can be effective in combating violence. Drawing attention to the perception of impunity, YILDIZ exemplified how the criminal justice system has sanctions against violence and shared legal solutions that can be effective in combating violence.
In the last session, Public Prosecutor Assoc. Prof. Dr. Cengiz APAYDIN shared case examples and statistical data on violence with the participants. Presenting case examples of different crimes of violence, APAYDIN shared information on how the justice system works against violence. APAYDIN, who made important evaluations on the principles and functioning of the judicial system, presented ideas on the effectiveness of current practices.
