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"What Do Women Survivors Say?"
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"What Do Women Survivors Say?" reflects on the harsh realities experienced by domestic violence survivors in Georgia, sharing their personal stories, challenges, and the systemic barriers they face in seeking safety and independence. According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, in 2024 alone, 8,744 restraining orders were issued, with the…
in Gender-based violence
The Monitoring and Advocacy Group of the Fund "Sukhumi" is actively working on qualitative research. The topic of the research is: Challenges related to services offered to women victims of violence (in the field of child care services); Experience in promoting employment and economic activity; Barriers for women victims of violence after leaving the shelter / crisis center.
During the research process interesting information was collected about the services provided by the public and non-governmental sectors.
Online round table was attended by local entities of Tsalenjikha municipality: members of the City Council Gender Equality Council, representatives of local self-government and police, kindergartens and schools, an educational resource center, and medical staff. There was a presentation of the research conducted by the Fund "Sukhumi" on monitoring of services for violence victims. The conversation touched upon important issues: statistics of arresting orders in the area of the municipality, identification of problems, the situation in terms of assistance to the victim...
Domestic violence - how open is the society for the discussion of this topic, what prevents the identification of the problem, how informed the population is about the response mechanisms, whom they address when necessary - these issues were discussed during the meetings in Bagdati, Tsalenjikha, Vani and Zugdidi municipalities. When talking about the problem, it was highlighted that the work should be done with the population in terms of identifying families of risk groups and early response.
According to the participants, such meetings will significantly improve the quality of information and will contribute to the prevention of violence.
“Sometimes a person does not realize that demonstration of aggression against a family member is a form of violence. In this regard, informing the population is very important”.
"We don't even realize that sometimes we can become not victims, but rapists."
“Often, when I hear cases of violence at meetings, I see a way out, I know what I can do against violence. Discussions on these issues help to inform people. "
These were the opinions the participants of informational meetings held in Senaki, Terjola and Kobuleti municipalities. The meetings are held by representatives of the Fund “Sukhumi” and they discuss the issues of identifying violence and responding to the problem.
“My husband violates me almost every day, it’s impossible to stay with him, but I have nowhere to go. Is there any place, where I will be sheltered and saved from this hell? " asks one woman.
The second woman is worried about her neighbor: “Screaming and crying is often heared from the neighbor's house. The husband is a rapist, the wife is unprotected. Can I intervene? What to do? I can't listen to such scenes every day".
All questions - how to be, where to look for a way out, will be really answered here and necessary advice will be given without leaving home.
All this happens online - on the newsite: “Digital Resource Center of the Services for Violence Victims”.
At the initiative of the Fund "Sukhumi" representatives of local referral entities: members of Gender Equality Council, representatives of local self-government and the police gathered at the round table in Senaki. There was a presentation of a research on monitoring of services for victims of violence, conducted by the Fund "Sukhumi".
At the meeting, there was a conversation regarding the situation in the municipality in terms of violence, prevention of violence against women / domestic violence and victims’ protection. The emphasis was placed on cooperation with local structures.
The main mission of the day rehabilitation center is to protect the victim of violence. Therefore, the Fund "Sukhumi" is constantly looking for Companions, supporters, to promote the solution of the problems of beneficiaries.
A memorandum of cooperation was signed between the Fund "Sukhumi" and the Agency for the Assistance to Victims of violence and Trafficking.
According to the memorandum, the Fund provides psychological and legal assistance, professional courses, support of a social worker and service of a rehabilitation center in Kutaisi.
The agency offers the victim a variety of services, including: psychological, social and legal assistance, temporary accommodation in the shelter, crisis center services and a consultative hotline (116 006) in eight languages.
According to the memorandum, the parties will provide each other with proper assistance in protecting the victim of violence / potential victim.
The day rehabilitation center resumed its active work. At the end of May, new groups were composed - one part of women is studying the work with polymer clay, and the second will pass accounting courses.
The experience of the day center has shown its effectiveness. Occupational therapy is very important for women who are the victims of violence. It increases employment prospects. Along with studying the new profession, the beneficiaries have the opportunity to receive psychological and legal consultations and rehabilitation.
Mobilizers of Women Support Centers held information meetings in different communities. The meetings inform the population about the issues related to violence. Participants listen to information: what does the law on domestic violence envisage, whom to address in case of violence, what response mechanisms exist. They get acquainted to victim assistance services.
Meetings were held in Vani, Bagdati, Chokhatauri, Tsalenjikha, Tkibuli municipalities.
Specific cases of violence were identified at informational meetings. The response continues in accordance with the content of the cases, with the involvement of a psychologist and a lawyer of the Fund "Sukhumi".
