Estonia's trust in support services soars—except for domestic violence survivors
A new report by Estonia's Foresight Center reveals high public trust in key support institutions. Nine in ten residents trust women's support centres and Victim Support, while confidence in the police remains strong. But the findings also highlight a sharp drop in trust among those who have experienced domestic violence. The study shows that 90% of Estonians trust women's support centres and Victim Support (Ohvriabi). These organisations are widely seen as taking concerns seriously and offering vital emotional help. Trust in the police is also high, with 85% of residents expressing confidence in law enforcement.
Trust in the courts and prosecutors stands at 70% among the general public. However, the picture changes for those who have faced domestic violence. Among this group, trust in the courts and prosecutors falls to just 30%. Trust in the police also drops significantly, to 46%. The decline is most pronounced for victims of psychological, economic, sexual, or digital abuse. Despite this, overall confidence in support services remains steady, even among those with personal experience of violence. The report forms part of a wider research effort into domestic violence in Estonia.
The findings confirm strong public trust in support services and law enforcement. Yet they also reveal a clear gap for victims of domestic violence, particularly in their confidence in legal institutions. The Foresight Center's research underscores the need for targeted improvements in how courts and prosecutors handle such cases.
