More than one-third (41%) of women in Estonia have faced violence.

In an eye-opening survey, Estonia's official data agency—Statistics Estonia—revealed staggering figures about intimate partner violence (IPV) in the country. This comprehensive study uncovers the distressing fact that nearly half (41%) of women in Estonia have experienced some form of IPV in their lifetime.

Here are the behind-the-scenes numbers:

Psychological Violence: A whopping 39% of women have endured psychological abuse, such as humiliation, degradation, or insults, with 29% feeling victimized in private or in the presence of others.
Physical Violence: A concerning 13% of women have faced physical violence, which includes threats, whereas 16% have been deliberately pushed, shoved, or had their hair pulled.
Sexual Violence: 9% of women have been subjected to sexual violence.

Regrettably, young women aged 18-29 are the most vulnerable to IPV. On the brighter side, older women (aged 65-74) are less likely to experience such violence.

Psychological Violence: The Main Concern

Jana Bruns, a project manager at Statistics Estonia, warns that psychological abuse is the most prevalent form of IPV. According to her findings, 23% of women have faced unfounded suspicions of infidelity due to their interactions with other individuals, and 19% have experienced fear-inducing behaviors, such as verbal aggression or destruction of property.

Furthermore, 16% of women say their partner has limited their social interactions or prevented them from pursuing hobbies or activities. A worrying 13% disclose that their partner has monitored their movements through GPS, phones, or social media.

While women are more prone to psychological violence, it's essential to acknowledge that physical violence also occurs. 16% of women have suffered physical harm through deliberate shoving, pushing, or hair-pulling, and 13% have witnessed their partner throwing objects or inflicting physical pain through hitting.

The Frequency and Alcohol Factor

The survey reveals that once violence occurs, a significant proportion of victims (repeatedly suffer violence). Alarmingly, alcohol plays a significant role in these incidents, with nearly half (44%) of violent episodes occurring when a woman's partner has consumed alcohol.

Amongst other findings, the study reported that 56% of women who experienced IPV in the last five years disclosed it to someone.

The survey also hinted at male victims, with 32% of men reportedly experiencing IPV. It's worth noting that data on male victims is often underreported due to societal biases, under-recognition in legal frameworks, and stigma, contributing to the broader international pattern.

1 [EU-wide gender disparities in domestic/intimate partner violence]1 Global patterns in underreporting of intimate partner violence3 [World Bank data on domestic violence]3 Eurostatdata on gender pay gaps5 [Estonia's human rights challenges, including domestic violence]5

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In Estonia, a troubling 41% of women have experienced some form of intimate partner violence (IPV) in their lifetime, according to a comprehensive study by Statistics Estonia.
The survey further revealed that psychological violence is the most prevalent form of IPV, with 39% of women enduring psychological abuse, 23% facing unfounded suspicions of infidelity, and 19% experiencing fear-inducing behaviors.3.physical violence also occurs, with 16% of women suffering physical harm and 13% witnessing their partner throwing objects or inflicting pain through hitting.
Among women aged 18-29, IPV is most prevalent, but older women (65-74) are less likely to experience such violence.
Although psychological abuse dominates, alcohol plays a significant role in causing violence, with nearly half (44%) of violent episodes occurring when a woman's partner has consumed alcohol.
While the study highlighted women as the primary victims of IPV, it is crucial to acknowledge that 32% of men have experienced IPV, although data on male victims underreporting due to societal bias, stigma, and underrepresentation in legal frameworks.
Jana Bruns, a project manager at Statistics Estonia, emphasized the importance of addressing mental-health issues, as 16% of women say their partner has limited their social interactions or prevented them from pursuing hobbies.
The survey also raised concerns about womens-health, with 13% of women disclosing that their partner has monitored their movements through GPS, phones, or social media.
To address these issues, workplace-wellness initiatives, health-and-wellness programs, and fitness-and-exercise regimens could offer valuable resources, along with therapies-and-treatments and proper nutrition to promote overall mental-health and sexual-health.