In Estonia, 41% of women and 33% of men have experienced violence in intimate relationships. As a result, many children unfortunately grow up in homes where domestic violence is normalized. In addition, studies indicate that up to one-third of children have experienced some form of sexual abuse.
Our goal is to ensure that children in Estonia receive early, age-appropriate support at school to understand what constitutes a healthy and safe relationship. The project aims to equip students with the skills to recognize unsafe behavior, seek help when needed, and build caring and respectful relationships in their own lives.
Implemented by the President Kaljulaid Foundation in cooperation with the University of Tartu and the Estonian Midwives Association, and funded by the Smart Future Fund (Targa Tuleviku Fond), the initiative provides primary and lower secondary school students with the knowledge and skills necessary to build healthy and safe relationships.
The curriculum covers topics such as intimate partner violence, gender stereotypes that perpetuate violence, misogyny, and dating violence – including psychological, physical, sexual, and economic abuse in non-cohabiting relationships or relationships at an early stage. Preventing relationship violence through school-based education not only supports students’ well-being but also contributes to healthier and safer intimate relationships across Estonian society.
Project activities include:
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developing and training a network of external educators, midwives and medical students;
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delivering lectures to students in grades 4–9 in at least 100 schools across Estonia;
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creating teaching materials for educators addressing intimate partner and dating violence for grades 1–3;
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organizing a conference for teachers focused on intimate partner violence and preventive education.
To book a school lecture or request teaching materials, please contact Britta Hunt-Šperova, Project Manager at the President Kaljulaid Foundation:britta@kerstikaljulaid.ee
The project is led by Dr. Kai Part and Merike Kull from the University of Tartu’s Sexual Health Research Centre, and Liis Raag from the Estonian Midwives Association. Funding is provided by the Smart Future Fund (Targa Tuleviku Fond).
