Representations of Intimate Partner Violence Against Women in Estonian News Media

This article examines media representations of intimate partner violence against women (IPVAW) in Estonian news media between 2019 and 2021. Given that news media both shape and reflect public beliefs and attitudes, the article examines how IPVAW is represented and identifies its key features in media coverage. Using a mixed-methods approach that combines quantitative and qualitative content analysis, it identifies focal topics and key actors, and assesses whether it is represented as an individual or structural and social issue. To this end, six IPVAW-related parameters were identified, coded, and analyzed. The findings indicate that, despite statistical evidence of the gendered and systematic nature of IPVAW, terminology used in the media coverage does not reflect this. Although reporting frequency, explanations of the constitutive elements of IPVAW, references to support services, and recognition of children as co-victims suggest it is treated as a significant social issue, connections to its underlying causes-namely gender inequality and discrimination-remain weak. Overall, both media and policy responses adopt a predominantly individualistic approach, focusing on consequences-such as victim support and judicial responses-while giving limited attention to prevention, including the critical examination of traditional gender roles and stereotypes.