ESTONIA: Tier 2
The Government of Estonia does not fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking; however, it is making significant efforts to do so. The government demonstrated increasing efforts compared to the previous reporting period; therefore, Estonia remained on Tier 2. The government demonstrated increasing efforts by opening the first fully state-funded center dedicated to treating victims of child abuse, including sexual violence and trafficking. Estonian authorities investigated, prosecuted, and convicted more trafficking cases and provided training on labor trafficking in each of its counties. However, the government did not meet the minimum standards in several key areas. In 2016, the government required police to initiate an investigation for presumed victims to receive trafficking-specific services, though general victim support services were available, including counseling and legal assistance. This requirement discouraged victims from coming forward and limited the publicly funded services available to trafficking victims.