Creating and enhancing a multisectoral network to help the victims of sexual violence in Estonia

Abstract

Aims: to give an overview of the sexual violence prevalence and impact in Estonia and the introduction of multisectoral network to help the victims of sexual violence. Methods: Based on the 2015 study „Prevalence of sexual violence and attitude towards sexual violence in Estonia: review of studys“ conducted by Estonian Sexual Health Assotiation. http://www.estl.ee/admin/upload/Dokumendid/SV%20levimus%20 ja%20hoiakud%20Eestis.pdf Results: In 2014 Estonian Sexual Health Association started with a project to help the victims of sexual violence. The project was funded by Norwegian and EEA Grants. The main aim of the project was to create and enhance multisectoral network to help victims of sexual violence and to maintain multidisciplinary services for the victims. Sexual violence is a crime of wide range in Estonia. According to FRA study (http://fra.europa.eu/sites/default/files/fra-2014-vaw-survey-main-results-apr14_en.pdf ) 13% of women have experienced sexual violence since the age of 15 and by 5–6% of women since the age of 18. Younger women face a greater risk to experience sexual violence. Approximately half of the victims of sexual violence within the previous 12 months were 16–17 years old. Adolescents are at bigger risk to become the victims of sexual violence. The probability of becoming a victim of sexual violence increases considerably after the age of 12. In 5–12% of girls of the age of 16–19 years have experienced attempted rape and 5–7% of such girls have been raped. One myth that we have to refute is that typical sexual offender is not a stranger but is a person known to the victim (previous or current sexual partner, a spouse or a mate). Sexual violence causes long-term health disorders, including mental health disorders like depression and anxiety. Also the understanding of consent is problematic. Based on the FRA (2014) study, 53% of all women in Estonia have experienced sexual harassment one way or another since the age of 15 (unpleasant remark, offensive sexualised jokes, unwanted proposals for intercourse etc). Physical sexual harassment has been experienced by 30% of women. Conclusions: Adolescents are at bigger risk to become victims of sexual violence. To reduce the impact of the trauma to the health of victims and to help victims to become survivors, multidisciplinary services and multisectoral cooperation is crucial.