The Human Rights Academy of the Public Defender of Georgia organized trainers’ training on the topic - "Psychological Aspects of Domestic Violence and Violence against Women" in Gudauri on July 19-21, 2017. The training was attended by employees of the Division of Social Affairs and Psychological Support of the Ministry of Defense, the Division of Social Affairs and Moral Support of the J-1 Department of the General Staff of the Armed Forces and the Gender Monitoring Council, who have direct contact with military personnel involved in various missions abroad and need psychological support.

During three days, the training participants were introduced to the characteristics, forms and typology of violence; causes of violence; characteristics of victims; theories of victims; objectives, principles, methods and techniques of working with victims. They studied how to assess the safety of victims of violence and how to draw up a safety plan, as well as the aims and principles of working with and interviewing abusers; gender roles, stereotypes and equality, gender identity and basic concepts; cases of violence against women and domestic violence in Georgia – forms/manifestations, statistics, causes and consequences.

In addition to the theoretical materials, the main focus was made on the open discussions, group exercises, presentations and film screenings. The participants had the opportunity to engage in discussions of a variety of topics, listen to arguments and develop their own reasoning.

The training was led by the experts of the National Network of Protection from Violence, Nana Vashakidze and Gulnara Samushia, as well as the chief specialist of the Department of Gender Equality of the Public Defender's Office, Ana Lobjanidze.

The aim of the training was to increase the sensitivity of the staff of the Ministry of Defense working with the military personnel participating in the missions and their families on issues related to gender and domestic violence, as well as to raise their awareness of the causes of violence and deepen their knowledge in the methodological aspects of working with victims and abusers. The training will increase the level of awareness of domestic violence among military personnel and facilitate the prevention of similar cases.