Cases of violence against women resulting in death during divorce/separation process: Femicides in Türkiye

This study aims to identify the demographic, criminological, and legal factors contributing to femicide cases in Türkiye, with a particular focus on violence perpetrated by spouses during the divorce or separation process. The research employs quantitative models to explore the factors associated with femicide in the context of divorce. The study population consists of 386 femicide cases that occurred between 2010 and 2020 in Türkiye. The analysis revealed an increase in the proportion of femicide cases committed by spouses during the divorce or separation process in Türkiye. The majority of the murdered women and their perpetrators were middle-aged, and the murders frequently occurred within the first ten years of marriage. A significant proportion of femicides took place in major cities, with over half occurring in private spaces and involving firearms. Most women had experienced domestic violence during their cohabitation period; however, only one-fourth of them had accessed protective and preventive services. To prevent femicide cases perpetrated by spouses during the divorce or separation process in Türkiye, it is essential to strengthen protective and preventive service models and to develop comprehensive legal and social policies.