Domestic Violence, Child Abuse Cases Increase in 2011
The Cabined today passed a revised implementation scheme of the Violent Crime Reduction Plan 2011-2014, according to which there were more domestic violence and child abuse cases in 2011 than the year before.
In 2011, the police registered 1,939 cases of domestic violence. The majority - 1,508 - were cases of physical abuse, which is 200 more than the year before. The number of cases of child sexual abuse grew by 14 percent last year, reaching 233.
Higher figures in both categories can, however, be partially explained by the society's increased attention, the document points out.
The four-year violent crime reduction plan aims to tackle issues related to violence at schools and homes, human trafficking and adolescent crime. It also aims to increase the awareness of children and parents regarding internet threats, and to expand the national victim support network.
Last year, a total of 143 human trafficking-related crimes were registered in Estonia - 9.5 percent less than in 2010, the document reveals. 56 victims of human trafficking were established in 2011.
Ingrid Teesalu