Japanese women who suffer domestic violence at the hands of their partners are more than 30 times more likely to commit suicide than those who do not, according to a survey released this week.

The survey -- reportedly Japan's first linking domestic violence to women's psychological states -- shows that those who suffered such violence are 31.9 times more likely to kill themselves.

The survey, part of an international program under a World Health Organization initiative, was conducted by a research group that included Tomoko Yunomae, a lecturer at Tokyo Kasei University. It was released Tuesday.

Yunomae said the survey confirms the need to provide long-term care for abuse victims.

The survey was conducted in Yokohama between October 2000 and January. It received responses from 1,371 women aged 18 to 49. Results included responses from 1,287 women who had experience in relationships.

Some 196 victims of domestic violence responded to the survey, with 165 suffering physical violence such as beatings and 79 experiencing sexual violence.

Women who have experienced domestic violence are about 2.7 times more likely to take tranquilizers or sleeping pills, while those with children said their children suffered from nightmares or exhibited aggression.

In a health ministry survey, domestic violence-related complaints in fiscal 2000 exceeded 9,000 -- more than divorce issues. Other effects of domestic violence are posttraumatic stress and depression.

In a law to prevent domestic violence that took effect in October, a court, based on allegations, can prohibit spouses or partners from having contact with each other for six months or order them to live separately for two weeks.