The Public Defender of Georgia considers that the prevention of and effective response to violence against women and domestic violence in a timely manner should be a priority for the State during the state of emergency.

Although according to the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia, the rate of applications has not increased, the international practice shows that mass isolation and curfew increase the risks of domestic violence against women and LGBT persons and make it difficult for them to have direct access to the protection and assistance services. The rate of applications has not increased in the crisis centers or shelters for victims of violence either. The Tbilisi shelter is currently converted into a quarantine zone, where victims will be placed for two weeks for health monitoring before being relocated to shelters.

In order to respond to the increased risks of domestic violence against women and LGBT+ persons, including the increased rate of applications, the Public Defender of Georgia considers that the following measures should be taken:

• A special campaign against violence against women and domestic violence should be launched in order to ensure that victims of violence have information and access to the protection and assistance services (hotline, the 112 application) online, including in minority languages.
• A special methodology of risk assessment and monitoring of violence against women and domestic violence should be developed by the law enforcement agency in a timely manner and the mechanism of keeping the offender away from the victim should be used when necessary.
• In cooperation with shelters, municipalities should prepare packages of financial assistance to victims of violence, who have left shelter or will leave it under the circumstances of changed economic reality.

The Public Defender continues to monitor the enforcement of decisions and policy documents adopted by the relevant agencies in relation to violence against women and domestic violence amid the crisis caused by the novel coronavirus in Georgia.

If your rights are violated, you can apply to the Public Defender's Office via hotline – 1481. For consultation in the Azerbaijani language, call our employee Murad Guseinov: 591 70 10 73, and for consultation in the Armenian language, call Andranik Baghdasaryan: 595 80 78 44.