Over 28,000 Female Victims of Violence Seeking Legal Medical Reports in Tehran
Escalating Violence Against Women in Iran: In the first eight months of 2024, over 28,000 women in Tehran sought medical examinations at forensic medical centers due to injuries sustained from physical altercations, a significant portion of which experts attribute to domestic violence. According to Omidreza Kargar-Bideh, director of Tehran’s forensic medicine organization, 74,845 people visited these centers due to violent incidents, marking a 2.5% increase compared to the same timeframe in the previous year.
Among those seeking forensic medical evaluations, 46,528 were men, while 28,317 were women. The rise in cases involving women highlights the ongoing issue of gender-based violence in Iran. Despite obtaining forensic medical reports as evidence, victims of domestic abuse face significant legal obstacles, as Iranian courts do not criminalize domestic violence against women due to legal loopholes within the country’s judicial system.
This situation unfolds as the Iranian parliament’s Social Affairs Committee reviews a draft law titled the “Protection of Dignity and Support for Women Against Violence,” which has been in legislative limbo for years. Originally introduced during the presidency of Hassan Rouhani in the 2010s, the bill aimed to address violence against women but has since undergone extensive revisions favoring the regime’s interpretation of Islamic law. Women’s rights activists have criticized the modified version, arguing that it fails to provide meaningful protections for victims of gender-based violence.
Lack of Safe Shelters for Victims of Domestic Abuse
In addition to legal hurdles, women facing domestic violence in Iran struggle with a severe shortage of safe shelters. According to Fatemeh Babakhani, director of the Mehr Shams-Afarid Safe Shelter, there are currently only 17 operational safe shelters for women nationwide, leaving half of Iran’s provinces without any refuge for victims of domestic violence.
Babakhani emphasized the essential role these shelters play in providing temporary housing and support services, including psychological counseling, legal assistance, and vocational training. The average age of women seeking shelter is between 18 and 34, but victims include minors as well. She recounted the case of a 13-year-old girl who had been forced into child marriage, became pregnant, and gave birth while staying at the shelter.
Root Causes of Domestic Violence and the Iranian Regime’s Inaction
Hassan Ahmadi, a legal expert within Iran’s judiciary, identified key factors contributing to domestic violence, including cultural attitudes that treat women as property, economic hardship, psychological disorders, and a lack of legal education. He stressed that poverty, unemployment, and financial stress exacerbate familial tensions, while untreated mental health conditions—such as depression and poor anger management—fuel domestic abuse.
Ahmadi also highlighted the role of cultural norms that condone violence as a method of control, particularly in the absence of legal repercussions. He urged the Iranian regime to implement stricter laws against domestic violence and facilitate greater access to judicial and support services for victims.
Conclusion
The growing number of women seeking forensic medical reports in Tehran underscores the urgent need for legal protections and support systems for victims of domestic violence. However, the Iranian regime’s reluctance to criminalize domestic abuse and the shortage of safe shelters leave countless women vulnerable to continued violence. While grassroots organizations and shelters provide critical assistance, systemic change remains elusive as long as legal reforms are obstructed by the regime’s misogynist agenda. Without regime change, the cycle of violence against women in Iran will persist, leaving many without recourse or refuge.
