November 25 is the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. This year, several cultural institutions in Tallinn are joining the campaign to raise awareness of domestic violence.

The United Nations has designated November 25 as the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. This year, Tallinn's city cultural institutions are collectively joining the campaign to raise awareness of domestic violence. "The statistics are shocking, and nearly no one is completely untouched by domestic violence. There are perpetrators and victims, often with children as witnesses, across all ages, professions, and social groups. The campaign by Tallinn's cultural institutions won't end violence, but it will hopefully help people notice it, think about it, and thereby reduce it," noted Tallinn Deputy Mayor Kaarel Oja.

Participating institutions include the Tallinn City Theatre, Tallinn Philharmonic Society, Tallinn City Museum, and Tallinn Central Library. For instance, all branch libraries have special book displays on domestic violence, recommended by experts and promoted on the library's social media channels until December 9.

In 2022, 3,244 domestic violence crimes and 7,896 domestic violence reports were registered. 46 percent of all violent crimes were domestic violence crimes; 86 percent of domestic violence perpetrators were men; 79 percent of domestic violence victims were women; 26 percent of domestic violence crimes were estimated to involve child victims or witnesses.

In Estonia, alongside women's shelters, the President Kaljulaid Fund is also a spokesperson for domestic violence. Several cultural events are also being held under their initiative. For example, the exhibition "Don’t Cross Their Boundaries!" created by the Estonian Academy of Arts and Feministeerium is open to all in Telliskivi Creative City, and a domestic violence-themed work by Marc Léger Sauvageot is displayed outside the main building of the Estonian Academy of Arts. On December 5, an installation by artist Flo Kasearu on domestic violence, linked to her previous exhibition "Cut Out of Life" at the Tallinn Art Hall, will open in the Konteiner Gallery of the Telliskivi Creative City.

Orange symbolizes a better future free from violence and discrimination. Tallinn City Council building, the LED posts at Freedom Square, and the Haabersti viaduct will be illuminated in orange. Orange lapel pins will also indicate the domestic violence awareness campaign over the next couple of weeks. Activities related to the campaign against domestic violence will last for nearly two weeks.

If you know or suspect someone you know is a victim of mental, physical, economic, or sexual violence, seek help immediately:

112 – Emergency number for life-threatening situations

116 006 – Social Insurance Board's 24/7 victim support crisis phone

116 111 – Social Insurance Board's 24/7 children's help phone

116 123 – Emotional support and spiritual care phone (daily 10:00-24:00, spiritual caregivers available 16:00-24:00)

660 6077 – Social Insurance Board's violence renunciation support line (weekdays 10:00-16:00)

palunabi.ee – Social Insurance Board’s victim support website

lasteabi.ee – Social Insurance Board’s children's aid website

Email counselors at [email protected]. Additionally, there are women's support centers, support for sexual violence victims, and the Social Insurance Board's free mental health online counseling service.