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Description
Support group for victims of interpersonal violence is a service belonging to the minimal assortment of services recommended by the Council of Europe and according to a study conducted in Norway, victims themselves consider support groups among the most efficient services supporting the leave from violent situation. Although Estonia has joined the Istanbul Convention, the help currently provided by the state is insufficient for fulfilling the obligations as a signatory as well as for providing the minimal assortment of services recommended by the Council of Europe. With the support of the project, a support group service will be launched in Tallinn based on the long-term practical experience of the Tähtvere Open Women’s Centre. Also, a group therapy format developed from the support group will be piloted in Tartu. The longer-term aim of the project is the adding of the support group service to the list of nationally funded services of which the public, policy makers, the victims and the network will be informed through various information events and campaigns. Direct beneficiaries of the project are victims of domestic violence and the children. The Estonian Union of Women Shelters facilitates information about the new service within its network and helps in gathering of feedback among clients; Tallinn Crisis Shelter for Women will launch a support group service in the city of Tallinn.
Summary of project results
The aim of the project was to draw attention to the opportunity to assist victims through support groups, which are considered by victims to be one of the most effective services for overcoming violence. However, at present, this service is not funded by the Social Insurance Board (SKA), despite being included in the list of recommended services under the Istanbul Convention.
Additionally, the project aimed to pilot a group therapy method based on support groups for working with victims of violence. From the service provider''s perspective, these services are cost-effective and enable victims to support one another by sharing their experiences, while also fostering new networks and communities.
During the project, support groups were conducted in Tartu and Tallinn, and a therapy group was launched in Tartu.
The implementation of project activities was significantly disrupted by the public health emergency caused by the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic in early 2020. Since support groups operate as open groups, allowing new participants to join anonymously at any time, it was challenging to conduct sessions regularly while adhering to the Health Board''s regulations. To address this, the number of new participants joining the Tartu group was restricted, some sessions were moved online, and, during certain periods, groups were held more frequently to ensure adequate distancing.
The therapy group was able to meet for only two sessions before worsening public health conditions prevented further meetings. The therapy group setting involves 10–12 people gathering in a closed space for six hours on two consecutive days. Compliance with mask-wearing requirements proved difficult, as participants often acted spontaneously—crying or unconsciously removing their masks.
Both support groups and group therapy require regularity. In therapy groups, it is particularly important that the same participants attend consistently. The goal of piloting the therapy group was to assess and measure participants'' attitudes, emotional states, and other factors before and after therapy while using their feedback to refine the service. However, the atmosphere of uncertainty and anxiety caused by the public health crisis made long-term planning and regular sessions difficult. The therapy program was initially planned to take place over 12 months.
Additional challenges arose during group formation, as vaccines were not yet widely available at the time. Later, some participants chose not to be vaccinated, which, in accordance with health regulations, would have required their exclusion from the group. Due to these constraints, the therapy group could not be conducted as planned.
Furthermore, network-oriented events could not be carried out as intended, since professionals from helping professions were largely engaged in crisis management and had limited capacity or willingness to focus on other issues.
In adherence to the Health Board''s recommendations and national restrictions, the number of events and participants was lower than originally planned.
Participation in support groups has provided victims with the opportunity to receive support and understanding from others with similar experiences. It has helped restore their self-worth and confidence while reinforcing the fundamental understanding that, in a democratic society, every individual has the right to dignity, freedom, and a life free from violence. Since living in an abusive relationship often severely damages a victim’s social network, participation in a support group has helped individuals regain a sense of belonging and create new social connections.
To ensure the sustainability of support groups, experienced peer counselors who have emerged from these groups have been trained, guided, and supervised to take on leadership roles.
During the public health crisis, it became evident that the organization’s activities relied heavily on specific staff members who had led particular services or fields for a long time. To mitigate the risks associated with staff illness, two experienced peer counselors from the Tartu support group—both of whom have backgrounds and experience in social work—were given the opportunity to lead the group under the supervision of a professional supervisor. Additionally, volunteer peer counselors provided online support between sessions under the supervisor’s guidance.
Thus, the challenges of implementing project activities during the public health crisis pushed the organization to explore and develop new formats for assisting victims while simultaneously strengthening its operational capacity.
The project also led to a closer collaboration with the Tallinn Women''s Crisis Shelter. While previous cooperation was primarily focused on advocacy, during the project, a psychologist from Tähtvere Open Women''s Center played a key role in launching a support group in Tallinn.