During the holiday season, the police receive twice as many domestic violence-related calls. Similarly, there is an increase in visits to women’s shelters after the holidays, as individuals seek help to escape violence.
Christmas is not a peaceful or eagerly anticipated time in every Estonian home, as police receive twice as many domestic violence-related calls during the holidays as usual.
“Domestic violence nearly doubles during the holiday season. Typically, we handle 20 to 30 domestic violence cases per day, but during the holidays, that number often increases to around 50,” said Siim Linnard, group leader at the South Prefecture of the Police and Border Guard Board.
Domestic violence victims are not limited to adult women; men and children are also affected. Over the past year, 500 children in Estonia were victims of domestic violence.
“Previously, children who witnessed domestic violence were not classified as victims. Now, under the Victim Support Act that came into effect two years ago, children are officially recognized as victims of family violence. Most domestic violence victims are women, though there are also male victims. Violence is about control – who holds the power in a relationship and uses it to silence others. If men are victims of violence, they should feel empowered to seek help. Everyone has a constitutional right to live free of violence,” said Pille Tsopp-Pagan, director of the Women’s Support and Information Center.
More read: ERR.EE