The media occupies the most important place in the process of elimination of gender inequality and discrimination. In recent period, alarming facts of violence against women has been taken place. I would like to once again reaffirm the need for careful reporting on these issues. Incorrectly presented information can lead to negative consequences. That is why I was concerned by so-called jokes of entertainment programme Comedy Show on Rustavi 2 TV Channel that was aired on December 23 where a woman - victim of violence was presented as a subject of mocking and helplessness.

I would like to again stress the important role of the media in the context of protection of women against violence and awareness-raising among the population. The main function of the media sources in this process is dissemination of information and delivering principles of equality to each citizen correctly, to explain what violence is, where it is happening in the society and in what forms, and what are ways to escape from domestic violence.

Additionally, I would like to mention that according to results of the study of the United Nations Population Fund, one in eleven women is a victim of domestic violence while one in three experience gender based domestic violence at least once in their lives. When the media takes up on such a difficult subject this data should not be forgotten; we should remember that alongside others these programmes are viewed by those who are victims of domestic violence. And through such thoughtless jokes and reports we are deepening their sense of insecurity and hopelessness instead of showing them ways of salvation from this situation. Violence is not a subject for jokes and entertainment! Victims need support of each of us since they have a very long and difficult road ahead of them in order to escape from domestic violence.

When we decide to make jokes regarding this issue we should remember that in 2014 more than 25 women were killed by their husbands of former partners in Georgia. We should share pain of their families and not to make critical remarks about them.

The Public Defender’s Office of Georgia takes every effort to help victims of domestic violence. We are constantly involved in the process of both management of cases and betterment and improvement of mechanisms. We closely cooperate with the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia and other stakeholders from governmental and non-governmental bodies in order to protect people that need our assistance. Those who work on these issues know what amount of efforts is needed just to deserve trust of victims.

In 2013, we have formed the Department of Gender Equality at the Public Defender’s Office of Georgia and one of the priority issues of their work is protection of victims of domestic violence. As a result of hard work of the department, application indicator has increased significantly, we are involved in work of almost all working group or a council that concern improvement of assistance services for victims. That is exactly why I would like to note that discrediting state or non-governmental organizations that provide those services through television, as though provision of help for victims is not important for us, brings significant damages to situation of victims, undermines and decreases their trust and deepens sense of insecurity and hopelessness.

We hope that in the future, our statements or recommendations that we have repeatedly disseminate regarding results of incorrect reporting on gender issues will be taken into account; feelings and difficult experiences of people who have experienced violence will be taken into consideration and we will avoid issuing and seeing reports and TV clips violating human dignity and self-respect.