The Perception of Violence of University Student and Factors Affecting to Perception of Violence

Objective: It was aimed with this study to determine the perception of violence and also the family and personal characteristics and risk factors pertaining to the individual that affect the perception of violence among 1st and 2nd year students at the three Faculties of Hacettepe University with the aim of understanding the perception of violence and the factors affecting. Method: Totally 904 university students were reached. The informed consent form was attached to the questionnaire and students were asked to fill the questionnaire after giving their consents. Students were asked 16 definitions of behaviors involving violence and their awareness was assessed. Results: The mean score of female participants from violence definitions were found to be higher than the mean score of male participants. It was found out that violence awareness of females is higher compared to males and that the difference between the genders is more visible in physical and sexual violence areas. It is considered that education and employment status of parents is very affective on the violence perceptions of young people. Conclusion: It shall be suitable to perform studies that shall increase the violence awareness of males in interventions to be made with the aim of reducing violence and its consequences.