Estonian For Fathers Assosiation

19.09.2009

EFFA was founded in 18th of september 2006 by Urmas Pardane and Kaido Kallikorm, to fight against ongoing discrimination towards fathers who are living seperatly from their children.

About 95% of the cases in court verdicts say that child should live with his or her mother instead of father. Even when father has better social network, bigger income and better living conditions. Majority of judges (in famlily cases), social workers, people responsible in family law are women. 7 out of 8 people working in goverments sexual discrimination office are woman.

There are no quick mechanisms to help fathers, who have lost contact with theyr child. When father denies mother access to child, it will be treated as child abduction, but in vice versa cases, the police claimes that it's a family matter and should be resolved in court. The court will usually take about 1,5 years. Enough time to brake a bond between parent and his child. Visit to local social worker will take less time, but since his/hers (usually her) verdict has no real power, it can be ingnored by mother.

EFFA has demanded that there should be either a mid-court which can quarantee a contact between parent and a child - until real court will take place or shorter time between going to court and a real verdict. Shorter court durations are implemented in case of petty crimes and childsupport cases. Why can't it be done in child custody cases?

The people affected by this situation are not only men and theyr children. We have received letters from grandparents, current partners, friends etc.