Few intimate partner violence perpetrators seek help voluntarily

People who commit intimate partner violence rarely seek help on their own, ERR reports. Research indicates that support programmes can help reduce violence, but Estonia has few such programmes and most participants are referred by authorities.

Police receive about 10,000 reports of intimate partner violence each year. The number of cases reported to police has fallen by roughly a third over the past six years, but experts say this should not be taken as evidence that violence itself has decreased. They suggest people may be less likely to seek help through official channels or may not consider them effective.

The forms of abuse are also changing. Alongside physical violence, psychological manipulation, controlling behaviour in digital environments and economic pressure are increasing. These less visible forms may not be recognised, reported or considered suitable for official registration.

A survey by Arenguseire Keskus found that 40% of Estonian residents consider stricter punishment the most effective way to prevent intimate partner violence. Younger people were more likely to favour this approach, said Kaupo Koppel, who leads the centre’s research on the issue. However, research over the past two decades indicates that longer or harsher sentences do not reduce repeat violence, he said.

Estonia has had one state-run service supporting people who want to stop using violence for the past six years. The service is run by the Social Insurance Board and has five counsellors. Several smaller privately initiated programmes also operate, but their overall capacity has declined in recent years.

Most participants enter programmes after being referred by police or prosecutors; people who seek help on their own are almost unheard of. Ave Karu, a senior specialist leading the board’s service, said limited personal motivation can reduce the programmes’ expected impact. Some clients do not acknowledge their behaviour, and missed appointments are a continuing challenge. Counselling cannot work through coercion, she said.

The survey also found a clear gap between the perceived need to offer help and awareness that such help is available.