Wow. what an eye opener. Thank you for you openness about what the women of Latvia are experiencing. Everyone elso talks about the economy....but not tough issues. Please Please continue!

Excellent work Anette by using your platform to help bring awareness to this problem. I hope your influence will help bring about change to archaic societal attitudes towards the violence and abuse of Latvian women and girls and ultimately lead to the passage of effective laws to prevent the crimes.

The info in this video is so accurate and down to the point! It is embarrassing to realize I live in a country that allows such disgusting behaviors. I truly hope people can listen and react to this! The word needs to spread.

Very well presented, Anete. I believe that by you disclosing this sickness they are in denial of, and that they want to hide, it will help open people's eyes, and hopefully good change will happen and something can be done about making strong laws against the violence. You are a courageous person. Thank you for your journalism.

We have this problem in a different way in America, as well as in my home culture of Japan (where we have an insanely low rate of reporting and prosecution of violence against women and a culture of shame/silence). Thank you for this enlightening take on this.

I was reading the news about this, your video made it much more relatable. I am sorry to hear you have your own experiences. Thank you for this and your other videos, they're so very insightful, keep up the good work (even when it is difficult) Paldies!

As an English expatriate residing in Latvia for the past 4 years, I have had the opportunity to appreciate many positive aspects of this country. One notable aspect is the breathtaking nature that encompasses vast expanses of seemingly untouched wilderness. I find it fascinating that Latvians have managed to preserve numerous ancient pagan traditions too. Additionally, the cuisine is generally enjoyable, although, in some cases, it can lean towards being overly salty or sweet for my personal taste. 😁 One notable advantage I have experienced here is a general sense of safety, which differs from what I have observed in Western Europe, the UK, and America. While acknowledging the presence of crime in Latvia, I have noticed a notable distinction when comparing it to my home country. Here, it appears to be more discreet, occurring behind closed doors and relatively infrequently. Furthermore, I have noticed that the older generation, particularly in rural areas, maintains a strong sense of community, something that I believe has diminished in my home country. These positive attributes contribute to the overall appeal of Latvia. However, (and now onto the bad stuff) it is disheartening and unexpected to witness instances of significant alcoholism and intrafamily violence, which I have unfortunately come across on many occasions. Such dysfunctional behaviour is saddening because I firmly believe that Latvians have the potential to strive for better circumstances. I've observed a prevalent sense of passivity among Latvians regarding the issues you highlighted in this video. There seems to be a prevailing mindset of "someone else will take care of it" or a dismissive attitude of "it's normal," as you mentioned. It's surprising to me how frequently I encounter such responses for situations that appear highly abnormal from my perspective. If I had a cent for every time I heard that here, I would have amassed quite a fortune! I have personally experienced a situation where my father-in-law used the phrase "būt zem sievas turpeles" towards me. It was not because I am actually submissive, but rather because I value and respect my partner's thoughts, striving to collaborate as a team rather than imposing my own will. Moreover, I have observed instances of a poor work ethic, exemplified by the mistreatment my partner faces in her workplace (from guys) due to her managerial position. This mistreatment appears to stem from a sense of inferiority, rather than any rational basis. Ultimately, as an outsider, I don't feel it is my place to change Latvia. (Maybe you'd disagree?) It also feels a bit hypocritical of me to denigrate Latvia too much when my own home country has its share of issues. For instance, there was the highly distressing child rape and trafficking situation in Rotherham, England, which was tragically ignored by the police for decades, despite existing laws meant to prevent such atrocities (that's one of many examples). It is my belief that Latvia possesses significant untapped potential, if only more Latvians could recognize it and embrace a real positive change. I have quite a bit of hope for the younger generation of Latvians, but the older generations still need to impart healthier and wiser lessons onto them, instead of the bullshit I've seen first-hand. Anyway, this was an insightful video, even if I was already aware of most of this. Paldies!

Thank you so much for talking about this

Important message! Thanks! I hope it gets a lot of attention! 💪♀

Liels palsies ka runā par šeit. I have been in a relationship with a Latvian man as a Norwegian NB..I gave him the benefit of the doubt, and he proved himself to be pretty dreadful, showing his "true colours" after some months. I thought it was just him, and that I just had bad luck. He claimed he had a western mentality(nothing proggressive about him)...now I can see more clearly..this was all happening in Norway, so luckily I am protected by the law. I threw out all his belongings and changed the lock before he got home from work. He has not bothered me since. I really hope the best for all Latvian women, men and others, and that we all will be protected with better laws and regulations

Very strong- and we need more - you have a voice!

Well done! well said and encouraging to speak up about issues that need to be addressed in all countries! thanks for creating this content

I am in a long distance relationship with my Latvian girlfriend, she showed me this channel to learn some Latvian, I am destraught to see how bad the situation is in Latvia, I knew some countries were bad, but I did not expect a country as "developed" as Latvia to be this behind.

I seriously wanna cry, my wife is Latvian and one of her brother is à police officer in Latvia

I am stunned by this recent episode. Thanks for this

From Amazing Instructor to Amazing People rights activist. Thank you for Raising the issue. Appreciate your courage and really feel Sorry and sad for the Situation.

I am very thankful for this video!!!

This is truly heartbreaking! Thank you for being so frank about it - bringing the ugly truth into the light is the first step on the road to abolishment of any evil.

Great video, thank you ❤. I sense and share your frustration with government inaction. Here in NZ there is a problem with institutionalized violence and abuse of children in state care, degrading treatment of patients at mental health facilities etc. Successive govts have been very reluctant to do anything about it and prevent it from happening. Human rights get violated, but like in Latvia it seems people in power are not too concerned about it. Very sad, particularly when a country portrays itself as progressive and democratic. I hope you are able to bring about change.

This is still a huge problem in the UK too. Although we have the laws, getting a prosecution is so hard. I hope all the women protesting make a difference and you get these law changed/brought in

Don’t hurt Latvian women😢

Thank you for your unequivocal, balanced, and objective exposition of this predicament.

Excellent video, Anete. I've been reposting it to various FB groups in order to raise awareness. I'm an Australian-born Latvian citizen living in Rīga. I have noticed some of the ridiculous attitudes of the people in the Saeima and I'm shocked to hear that no law protects women from sexual harassment on the streets. That needs to be changed immediately. In the past, Latvia hasn't had much of a civil society that challenges government. I'm happy to see more people have been speaking out and protesting lately. There's more to democracy than merely casting a vote once every four years (something, mind you, that the average Latvian can't be bothered doing). In addition to voting, the public must always have a voice and exercise its voice. The Saeima and the Executive can never be allowed to think they can just laze back and do whatever takes their fancy and the citizens of this country will be perfectly happy with them. They need to be forced to earn their salaries and show everybody that they are protecting society's most vulnerable from violence and that they are committed to the same. Thank you for speaking out about this issue.

Good points, are there any women's shelters in Latvia ?, if not perhaps you could start the first one ?

Thanks for making this video! As a Dutch guy living in Latvia, I had no idea the law and prosecution was lacking so much here. It's sad and infuriating to listen to everything you just said, and I hope no visas sirds that the mentality can change for the better in the next generation

This was a really interesting and educational video. Thank you for making it. I'm American but I work with victims of domestic violence and it's always interesting to learn about the situation in other places.

Oh no, Anete. I'm so sorry things are like this. Seems suffocating. Unfortunately, the culture in Brazil has similarities. The difference is that we have a law called Maria da Penha which brings more balance towards women, although there's still a lot to improve. The current political situation also affects Brazil and anything you want to do to improve women rights is discarded with the same arguments used in Latvia. Using moral panic as an excuse to keep the inequality. Your video is powerful and you are brave to bring this subject to light the way you are doing.

Well done for speaking out!

All this blaming the victim, and cutlivating violence as a masculine value... I see this as a continuation not only of old values (common in the West a while back), but also of Russian/Soviet values. A lot of what you talk about is terribly reminiscent of Russia and its culture (especially justifications like 'preserving Latvian values'...). I wished I could change cultural values; but even in my own country I often feel powerless. I hope Latvia will grow beyond such stupid attitudes. Lots of luck to the current discussion on this issue in Latvian society -- may they represent a beginning for meaningful changes!

Courageous and well articulated

You definitely deserve WAY more subscribers. I am not learning Latvian, but I am thinking of starting with this journey of learning it. Hence, I was watching your videos. I watched this and yes, you do deserve more views and subscribers. Thanks for this and for telling us more about that beautiful small country which I was lucky enough to visit a few years ago. Hope I can be back there soon. All the best and please keep doing such good content!!

Well made video

gosh that bad :( man why i love your videos

Quite original for a language course. I'm interested!

As a Latvian-American (Latvian Parents and Grandparents) I’m extremely saddened and angry to hear this going on back in the homeland! I most assuredly will be writing the consulate here to demand changes to the laws there! In the Latvian-American Community and Culture here, we were raised to highly respect women. Even if they’re dead wrong, They're Right! :) Mothers, Sisters, Daughters Aunts, and Grandmothers are the bedrock of the Family and our People. Thus Respected and Cherished! Deeply saddened that’s not the case in Latvia now.

I am moving to Latvia in the near future, coming from a country that's rife with patriarchy, violence, and toxic societal patterns. I'm sorry to hear that this is such a big issue in Latvia and I hope to contribute in some way once I settle.

Istanbul Convention should be signed a long time ago. Unfortunetly its also true, that laws against sexual violence against men is in much worst state and I wish that something would be done for it to. But that does not mean we can stop and do nothing about Istanbul Convention.

I visited Latvia once, beautiful country and woodlands but didn’t feel very safe. Sad to hear that women get a very bad deal.

Great video

Sad😢

I have long been convinced that jail is useless for most crimes. The one exception is violence and tough jail penalties should be reserved for cases where physical violence is committed. Latvia also hosts disgusting events like Erots which normalises horrific exploitation.

7:05 - WTF?! I mean.. WoW! For a comparison - I am an actual "lover boy" (as some say "incurably romantic"), I had a talk with a girl, she said she does not love me (we had a romance for some 5-6 months, problem was - she knew it's not going to last, but I was naive, with no experience and believed, that "this is it - the real love"), and that was it, I just could not even think of attempting to be with her after that, to push myself onto her. That night I slept on a coach (it was on her flat), woke up in the morning, saw her still sleeping on her bed and... went to kitchen to wash dishes after our evening parting "party". It was my duty to let her go, to let her find her right person. And she did - just a few months later she met the man, who became her husband (I did not know it back then, of course, I'm not a stalker 🤣 Had a little exchange with her ~20 years later). I also found the right girl for me, except it took me somewhat longer than mere months, as I was a 'little" devastated, so I did not even try to approach anyone for a couple of years.

I m polish married to Latvian man, and we always have this discussion on which country is more fcked up . And yeah Poland has a lot of issues n sexual violence is one of it, but even us probably have some better laws .. though you guys at least can abort if it endanger your life or is from violence... we can't, it ll send us to prison. I love your work Anete thankyou for doing this

you know its everywhere not only in Latvia

I suppose your thoughts and comments. No one deserves to be hit or abused. Women or child. I pray 🙏 that things will change in your country. 😢

Apparently "to be under wife's shoe" describes a servile man. It is more like one who acts obediently at his wife's whim. The verb "listen" is confusing here because apparently its Latvian equivalent may also mean "to obey" in addition to "hear out". More importantly there are things within our control and there are those beyond. In case the victim was repeatedly stalked and harassed and nothing done by law enforcement despite her multiple request, it is definitely not victim's fault.

I grew up in USA with laws to protect woman, so I don't understand why Latvia doesn't realize the equality between the two sexes.

😍

Where is this spouse from

I have a question. Unrelated to this video, but about Latvian mentality or culture. At a company dinner, a Latvian colleague sitting next to me. I mentioned that the wine does not go with the fish (it was a sweet desert wine...). Only to my immediate table neighbours, not criticising loudly or complaining to the waiters. Nonetheless, he seemed uncomfortable. Is it a no-no in Latvia to criticise the host or something? It was a hotel restaurant though.

But then I see Sweden, they signed the Istanbul Convention, and Swedes have cases like the 9yo Luna. The 15yo monster wasn't arrested and then only got sentenced to forensic psychiatric care, they didn't even say for how long he will be there. I bet he will be free and will do the same thing soon. IMO All those treaties and conventions at the end don't change anything, more bureaucracy. If anything, Latvia should make their own laws. Call me a radical but a rapist shouldn't be breathing. The same goes to cases like the murderer in 1:13. Problem solved.

great important video. we experience the same problems my parents are algerian. my mum wasnt loved by her father because he had 4 daughters in a row and was mad he didnt get a son instead... imagine creating 4 humans yet still ungrateful. 'tough love' is the worst of teachers. evidently with my mum and all her sisters divorced. i feel that patriarchy stems from religion a bit. also a theory that movies brainwash men to think in this way. men are not above nature. infact theyre the worker gender. theyre supposed to cater to women. not vice versa. as my natural instincts stop me from fighting somebody weaker like kids and women evidently. but wars brainwash us to think that conquering is good. violence is good. when really the only time a male should exert force is thru hunting. protecting. but men hv this stubborn mindset. influenced by film propaganda. our ancestors must feel ashamed at this 'new' type of masculinity

What about a violence against men? Especially verbal.

Ja šis ir latviskums, tad man to nevajag...

On one hand, Latvia seem to do quite well in gender equality our legislation is pretty progressive, around 1/6 of our armed forces are women, a lot of top politicians are ladies, but... Then there are cases like this. And my first girlfriend was looking for statistic data on violence against women in Latvia a couple of decades ago for her studies, I'm not sure, how much she did find (Internet was in it's infancy, so she had to do it by calling various institutions by phone) and how forthcoming were those authorities. Om the bright side - if such cases cause a lot of outcry, this means such violence is not normalised in the society. Anyway, ,we have a lot to do to improve, obviously.

The EU should put things clear. It is a problem in almost every EU country but it seems to be particulairly bad in Latvia. It is all about human rights. When there are economical consequences things shall change. The EU has some issues with Poland and Hungary aswell and believe me, they shall be solved. Without accepting the Istanbul Convention there should be no place for Latvia within the EU. Something went wrong with passing the "Council of Europe exam". The Council of Europe, considered as the "EU light" .

Oohhh my dearling How you sweety ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

Yeah, is no wonder from parlament who openly discriminates its own citizens and openly engage in smear campaigns against society. Even Latvian president sad that situation in Latvia do not require law changes and their arguments are simply crazy. Its good that I didn't wote for them. All You sad it's true and large part of society do not accept such behaviors and advocates for immediate change and corrections of laws for years or even decades in some cases.

Neapmelojiet savu tautu un Latviju!

move to middle east