Examining the problem of violence against women through repeated applications to shelters

Violence against women is a significant social issue that exacerbates women's disadvantaged position in society and impacts their lives in multifaceted ways. Beyond individual experiences, violence can transform into a cyclical process perpetuated by systemic inequalities. This study aims to examine the cyclical nature of violence against women by focusing on repeated applications to women's shelters and exploring the dynamics that sustain this cycle. Within this framework, in-depth, semi-structured interviews were conducted with ten women who are victims of violence, residing in women's shelters affiliated with the Ministry of Family and Social Services in Istanbul and having repeated applications. The data obtained from the interviews were analyzed using a qualitative research design through thematic analysis, supported by discourse analysis. The findings reveal that women exposed to violence often lack sufficient individual and social resources, that existing support mechanisms contain systemic limitations, and that the cycle of violence and institutional interaction is fueled by societal norms. In this context, the dynamics that prevent women from escaping violent relationships or lead them to return to similar patterns are not limited to individual vulnerabilities but encompass a multilayered structure involving inadequate social support, societal normative frameworks, and the dysfunctionality of institutional systems. This study highlights the persistent and cyclical nature of violence against women through institutional interactions, underscoring the need for holistic, systemic interventions at both societal and institutional levels that prioritize women's empowerment to break this cycle. Keywords: Violence Against Women, Women's Shelters, Violence, Cycle of Violence.