PKF and Estonia’s largest hospital launch world-first occupational health model for identifying domestic abuse

President Kaljulaid Foundation (PKF), in partnership with the North Estonia Medical Centre, Estonia’s largest hospital, has launched a pilot project to develop what is believed to be the world’s first occupational health model for identifying both victims and perpetrators of domestic abuse.

“Domestic abuse affects thousands of people in Estonia, yet only a small proportion ever receive the support they need. That is why we must find new ways of identifying and supporting those at risk. We see occupational health services as an important but largely untapped opportunity to reach people early and connect them with professional help,” said Hannaliisa Uusma, Head of Domestic Abuse Prevention at the President Kaljulaid Foundation.

According to Uusma, around 160,000 working-age people undergo occupational health examinations in Estonia every year. “This represents a significant group that traditional support systems may never reach through prevention efforts alone. At the same time, healthcare provides a safe and trusted environment that can encourage people experiencing abuse to speak up and seek help.”

Over the course of the seven-month pilot, occupational health professionals will receive training in the fundamentals of domestic abuse and trauma-informed communication. The project will also develop and test a practical identification model for use during occupational health consultations and produce guidance for recognising domestic abuse in occupational healthcare.

According to Kai Kuuspalu, Head of Preventive Programmes at the North Estonia Medical Centre, improving the identification of domestic abuse is important for the wellbeing of both the hospital’s employees and its patients.

“Since joining the Employers Against Domestic Abuse initiative as a flagship member in 2025, we have systematically integrated this issue into our daily work. In addition to raising awareness, training our employees and actively contributing to the initiative, our Emergency Department is also a partner in the IMPACT project for the protection of victims of crime, which is testing digital solutions to improve the documentation of injuries sustained by victims of violence,” said Kuuspalu.

She added that, as the North Estonia Medical Centre also operates a Centre for Occupational Diseases and Occupational Health, the hospital is well positioned to contribute to the development of domestic abuse identification through occupational health consultations.

In addition to the President Kaljulaid Foundation and the North Estonia Medical Centre, the pilot project brings together experts from the National Institute for Health Development, Estonia’s Social Insurance Board’s Victim Support Services (Ohvriabi), and Victim Support Europe. International expertise is provided by the Finnish organisation Miessakit and the Norwegian organisation Alternativ til Vold, both recognised for their work in preventing domestic abuse.

The pilot project is funded by the Nordic Council of Ministers and the President Kaljulaid Foundation.

Photo: Arno Mikkor