Estonia’s Ministry of Justice has announced that there were 3,186 registered cases of domestic violence in Estonia last year, and nearly 80% of these were committed against women and girls.
87% of domestic violence crimes involved physical abuse, 84% of perpetrators were men, and 79% of all victims were women and girls.
731 sex crimes were registered last year, including 191 rapes. Among these, 87% involved children.
Estonia is currently working on bringing its penal code into line with the requirements of the Istanbul Convention.
“Estonian penal law at this time says that rape is a crime only if the person is pressured into sex by violence, or is unable to resist because of a state of helplessness,” explains Estonian Justice and Digital Affairs Minister Liisa Pakosta. She added that this does not offer sufficient protections.
“In traumatic moments, people’s survival mechanisms kick in, and that often means that they freeze up and are unable to fight back against their attacker,” Pakosta says.
The Ministry of Justice is working on a draft law to make the legal regulation of sexual violence more consent-based.
Annika Silde directs services for sexual violence victims at the Social Insurance Board, and she says that early emotional and physical education, as well as knowledge about safe relationships are crucial in preventing sexual violence.
“The more we discuss sexuality, the human body, feelings and safety with children and young people in an age- and development-appropriate and open manner, and the more we emphasise the core values of sexual education – consent, equality between people, and respect for oneself and others – the more we can create a culture that is free of violence,” Silde argues.
The expert added that the discussion is important because people often do not know what respect really means in the area of sexuality.
“These discussions lay the foundation for noticing various types of violence early on and ensuring that sexuality will no longer be a taboo subject,” Silde says. “Awareness is what perpetrators of violence and various criminals fear the most.”
Silde also said that witnesses to violence is key. The least anyone can do is believe a person who claims to have experienced violence and then help the individual in seeking the necessary help.
Source: BNS
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