The study said minors punished physically are twice as apt to transgress the law. Children beaten by parents are also twice as prone to consume excessive amounts of alcohol. Also, kids physically punished are twice as likely to be bullied at school – as compared to those never experiencing physical force applied by parents.
The study said 15 percent of school children have been physically punished by parents; with Russian and Estonian kids the percentage was 21 and 14, respectively.
Mr Anvelt says this is a serious issue. «Family violence is a great challenge in the Estonian society today, and here the state can do al lot. Firstly, family violence must be clearly defined in legal space. At the moment, we are having the review of penal Code, and I do hope by Midsummer Day the Riigikogu will ratify a renewed Penal Code. Therein, family violence will have been clearly introduced as a type of crime. Up to now, all the law had was mistreatment – makes no difference whether a person is beaten at a pub or at home. Now, family violence has been introduced. At court, an aggravating circumstance will be violence seen by a child,» said Mr Anvelt.
According to the minister, not only is the kid physically punished a victim; also, other kids seeing it happen are to be treated as victims. «We have adopted a plan to join the Istanbul Convention Against Domestic Violence by end of the year. Estonia is among the few not joined yet. The state will assume responsibility to enhance social and legal aid to victims,» he said.