Womens Support and Information Center WSIC Pille TsoppPagan

Women`s Support and Information Center (WSIC) Pille Tsopp-Pagan www. naistetugi. ee

“Violence against women is a form of discrimination and a violation of human rights. It causes untold misery, cutting short lives and leaving countless women living in pain and fear in every country in the world. It harms families across the generations, impoverishes communities and reinforces other forms of violence throughout societies. Violence against women stops them from fulfilling their potential, restricts economic growth and undermines development. All humanity would benefit from an end to this violence. ” Ban Ki Moon, United Nations Secretary General (2006) 2

Who we are? WSIC is the first shelter in Estonia, founded in 2002 The shelter has 10 employees, 2 of them are full time social workers Our organization was the inspiration for the 15 other shelters that have been founded throughout Estonia Today we maintain close cooperation with all of these shelters

What does shelter offer in Estonia? 24/7 hotline providing information and counseling to victims of domestic violence and other concerned individuals Temporary housing for victims of violence, often with kids Direct Counselling includes psychotherapy(for women and children), social work and legal advice (up to representation in court) Case management for women, such as helping in dealing with governmental offices (i. e. social departments, unemployment agencies, housing etc)

Service providing in Estonia (WSU) 2, 200 2, 110 2, 000 1, 706 1, 800 1, 763 1, 600 1, 400 1, 128 1, 200 1, 000 FY 2015 2016 6 M 1, 055 FY 2016 projection 853 800 600 490 400 564 386 427 188 200 190 94 0 Number of victims 7 154 # of guests Psychological counselling 193 Children`s therapy Source: WSU: http: //naisteliin. ee/index. php? id=114 Legal counselling

Cost of violence 2015: Research made by EIOSR*: * Estonian Institute for Open Society Research

Ongoing Challenges Public funding is not sufficient: • Official bidding call FY 17 -18 by SIB* • Funding have been decreased in comparision of 20152016 • Designed in the way which ends specialist service provision for smaller counties • Specialised help (therapy, legal counselling) way under funded Estonia lacks a ‘culture of giving’ • For WSIC private contributions are about 2% of budget * Social Insurance Board

Ongoing Challenges 2 Inability to pay competitive salaries • Average shelter salary is 30% less than national average Specific work with victims makes it difficult to use volunteers Estonian cultural background attitudes towards issues of violence against women

Thank you!