Description
There is limited public awareness of sexual violence (SV) and analysis of scientific data in Estonia and a lack of services for victims/survivors of SV. Professionals are not sensitized and not appropriately trained. There is also a lack of coherent guidelines in different health care units, lack of cooperation between professionals, and lack of a "pressure group" to advocate and initiate specialized services for victims of SV. The aim of the project is to reduce the prevalence and harmful consequences of SV, including related to human trafficking victims in Estonia, by creating and enhancing a multi-sectoral co-operation network of professionals and organisations. The direct target groups are professionals working with victims of SV in different sectors; heads of hospitals; victims of SV; potential perpetrators, and the general public. The indirect target groups are the family members of the victims and society as a whole. The donor partner is Oslo Sexual Assault Center. The Center will share its good practices during a study visit to Oslo and hold a 2-days training in Estonia for specialists working with victims of SV. Through the partnership a support service for victims of SV will be created.
Summary of project results
The goal of the Project was to reduce influence of sexual violence through improvement of knowledge of specialists with different backgrounds, strengthehing joint networks, improving public services for victims and widened knowledge of sexual violence in society. The Project consisted of many different activities. Main results of the activities are as follows: Analysis was written collecting knowledge from scientific studies about different forms of sexual violence. Results are available:
http://www.estl.ee/admin/upload/Dokumendid/SV%20levimus%20ja%20hoiakud%… Campaign to inform society about sexual violence, its results and available services for people influenced by it. A study was carried out beforehand and afterwards to understand people's beliefs before and after the campaign. Studies are available here:
http://www.estl.ee/admin/upload/Dokumendid/SV%20levimus%20ja%20hoiakud%… http://www.estl.ee/admin/upload/Dokumendid/20160428_ESTL_raport.pdf; Rehabilitation pilot programme was developed and carried out for the victims of sexual violence. A guide for specialists has been worked out to work with victims of sexual violence. It has been translated to Russian language. 700 in Estonian and 200 in Russian. PDF version is available here:
http://www.estl.ee/admin/upload/Dokumendid/SV%20ohvrite%20abistamise%20… 10 training sessions for medics has been organised with 300 participants. Knowledge of sexual violence has risen among medics and they are now prepared to work with victims of sexual violence. Training will be continued by University of Tartu. Information seminar for leaders of medicine institutions was organised to raise their support for the work with victims. 2 training sessions for police and attorneys was carried out. Training sessions for 60 key specialists was organised in cooperation with Norwegian colleagues. Their ability to work in sexual violence prevention Network has risen and they are now prepared to work together against sexual violence.
Summary of bilateral results
Project expert was Dr Helle Nesvold from Oslo SAC, expert on sexual violence and Professor Johanne Sundby from University of Oslo, equality and sexual violence expert. Experts consulted every activity of the Project also campaings on sexual violence and helped to organise study-trip to Norway. They also helped with activities after end of the Project. Overall they put in more than was agreed beforehand and their help was higly regarded. Dr Nesvold expressed her satisfaction about the job done at the final seminar of the programme in May 2016.