Domestic abusers might have to undergo special courses
By Tea Mariamidze
Tuesday, May 14
People found guilty in domestic violence might have to undergo special state courses oriented on modification of violent attitudes and behavior.
The changes are reflected in the amendment package for domestic violence regulatory legislation, initiated by Sophio Kiladze, Chair of Human Rights and Civil Integration Committee of the parliament.
Kiladze told reporters that the amendments aim to focus more on revealing the violent behavior at the initial stage and to timely prevent it.
"According to the new legislative initiative, after the issuance of a protective order by the court, the violator will be obliged to undergo a special course aimed at modification of the violent behavior,” said the MP.
Furthermore, the state tax for starting a dispute will be canceled for suits filed by the victim against the abuser.
“The legislative amendments allow victims of domestic violence to resolve the case-related disputes for free and in an accelerated manner,” Kiladze added.
The amendments were prepared by the Human Rights and Civil Integration Committee, with the support of the United States Embassy.
Non-governmental sector and some international organizations were also involved in the process.
Despite some positive steps in the elimination of domestic violence in Georgia, the issue remains problematic.
Last month, Georgia’s Public Defender Nino Lomjaria wrote in her report that 22 women were killed and 18 cases of the attempted murder of women were reported in Georgia last year.
More specifically, according to the report, 22 facts of murders of women were revealed in 2018, seven of which counted as domestic crimes. In the same year, 18 cases of attempted murder of women were revealed, of which, 10 were related to the attempted murder of women by their husbands.
The Ombudsman’s study revealed that domestic violence has a severe impact on a low income or non-income women, women without education, single women, conflict-affected women, elderly persons and women whose partners / former partners work in law enforcement agencies and/or armed forces.
In 2018, 205 restraining and 130 defensive orders were issued following violence against women. According to the information provided by the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia, in 2018, under Article 151 of the Criminal Code, which envisages stalking, investigations were launched into 126 criminal cases.
The report also says there are many cases when domestic violence victims note that they have experienced insults and mocking comments from the police.
