Protection of Women Victims of Violence in Georgia - Results of Strategic Litigation
8 October, 2024On October 8, Rights Georgia presented its report, "Protection of Women Victims of Violence in Georgia - Results of Strategic Proceedings," in an online session.
The report, supported by the USAID Rule of Law Program, covers developments from July 2022 to May 2024. Around 50 participants of the event were addressed with welcoming remarks by the Executive Director of "Rights Georgia," Vladimir Mkervalishvili, and the Head of the USAID Rule of Law Program, Giorgi Chkheidze.
Vladimir Mkervalishvili emphasized the necessity of legal support for women and children who are victims of violence. He spoke about the challenges that civil society organizations face at various stages of justice implementation and highlighted the importance of cooperation among legal professionals in combating violence against women and domestic violence.
Authored by Karlo Nikoleishvili, a doctoral researcher at the University of Turku, the document addresses both practical and legislative challenges, as well as achievements in the legal protection of women and children affected by gender-based and domestic violence.
According to the report, the state still faces persistent issues, including inaction or ineffective responses by law enforcement in handling violence against women and domestic abuse. The focus is on the obligation of state bodies to address cases of violence against women and domestic violence perpetrated by law enforcement officers and police representatives. The research highlights the following findings:
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The timely recognition of victims remains a significant challenge, often requiring additional legal intervention and support;
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Access to case documents continues to be problematic for victims and their legal representatives;
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Identifying gender intolerance motives remains difficult during both investigation and judicial qualification stages;
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Investigative facilities often lack proper infrastructure to maintain confidentiality, hindering trust-building between victims and investigators;
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Children who witness violence are seldom granted victim status, despite its importance for their interests in criminal justice and future claims for damages.
After the presentation of the report, the discussion continued in a Q&A format, with the attendees expressing their willingness for further cooperation. In addition to the issues covered in the report, the discussion also addressed problematic areas such as the secondary victimization of women, the effectiveness of femicide investigations, practical challenges in transferring victims to shelters, the low awareness levels among law enforcement officers, and more.
The report also offers practical recommendations for state representatives and legal professionals, stressing their importance in addressing domestic violence and fostering a stronger legal culture. The full report can be accessed here.