Iranian sociologists and social science researchers warn that violence against women has increased in the society.

Speaking to the official news agency Irna, sociologist and social science researcher Kamil Delpasand noted that statistics on violence against women were not recorded or published in the media.

"Violence against married women is second only to violence against children" added Delpasand.

Reza Caferi, responsible for emergency social situations, said in a statement to the Iranian media in May that domestic violence against women increased by 20 per cent in the last Iranian year. Figures refer to the period from March 2017 to March 2018.

More than 16,000 cases of violence against children were recorded in the first half of the year, while 1,750 cases of violence against women were detected in the first nine months of the year.

Sociologists list economic difficulties and inadequacies of support and training infrastructure as the main causes of this escalation in violence.

According to opposition sources, most specialists underline that living conditions are an important factor that contribute to class difference and domestic violence.

In the current times, social and economic pressures, unemployment, cost of living and lack of social support lay the groundwork for different forms of violence against women. More exposed women are to be found especially in lower classes and low-income families.

"The judicial, legal and disciplinary structures, independent of the existing cultural background that promotes male domination, are meant to ensure that men can actually exercise violence against women," said Ahmed Buharayi, director of the social welfare branch of the Sociology Association.

"From March 2017 to March 2018, there were 300 news in the media on domestic killings. Statistics show that more than 80 percent of women are victims”, he added.

Another sociologist who spoke to Irna news agency on 18 July pointed out that male domination and prejudices also developed in the younger generation, thus contributing to the fact that men actually view domestic violence as a right on the basis of this culture.