Expert: It's a Mistake to Think Domestic Violence Only Affects Certain Types of Families
Former journalist Piia Osula, now an expert at the Estonian Police and Border Guard Board's strategic bureau, says domestic violence is widespread across Estonia and affects all kinds of families, not just disadvantaged ones.
Piia Osula, a former investigative journalist now working as a development expert at the Estonian Police and Border Guard Board's strategic bureau, shared her insights on domestic violence. When she first became a police assistant, her colleagues were distrustful—no patrol officer understood why a journalist from the show "Pealtnägija" was there. After more than 100 hours riding along with patrols, her colleagues began calling her by her last name, signaling acceptance.
Osula still participates in patrols once or twice a month to maintain a realistic perspective and stay connected to the field. She noted that the holiday season was tense for police, with an increase in domestic violence calls compared to the previous year. According to Osula, statistics and headlines cannot convey the oppressive feeling experienced at the scene.
She emphasized that domestic violence affects not only victims but also perpetrators, who need help if they cannot change their behavior. Particularly painful is seeing children growing up in a violent environment—for instance, an eight-year-old who committed a theft but had been known to police for three years.
Osula said it is a mistake to think domestic violence only occurs in certain types of families. In economically struggling families, violence may be more visible and linked to alcohol abuse, while in wealthier families it is more hidden and prolonged. Violence simply changes its form, appearance, or even level of cruelty.
Police data show that domestic violence calls come from all over Estonia. Special maps created by the police reveal red dots across the entire country—in Viimsi, Põhja-Tallinn, and Lasnamäe. Last year, there were more than 9,500 reports and calls related to domestic violence.
Recently, Osula visited Washington, D.C., to learn about police work. She was surprised by how similar the problems are on both sides of the Atlantic: youth gatherings in public places and domestic violence. A key difference she noted is that in the U.S., the perpetrator is immediately removed from the scene. In Estonia, a recently introduced 72-hour restraining order has been a significant help.
