Georgian law enforcement to use risk assessment in management of domestic violence cases
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In 2017, UN Women supported the Ministry of Internal Affairs in the development of a domestic violence risk assessment tool. Enabling police officers to assess risks for lethality and re-abuse.
From 26 to 28 June 2018, UN Women, in partnership with the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the US-based NGO Global Rights for Women and with the generous support of the European Union, conducted a training of trainers on implementing the risk assessment methodology in domestic violence cases. The three-day initiative aimed at supporting the Ministry’s newly created Human Rights Protection Department in operationalizing the risk assessment tool. More specifically, the initiative strengthened the capacity of 25 law enforcement officials on implementing risk assessments in domestic violence cases in line with internationally established standards and best practices. The training’s participants are expected to roll out risk assessment trainings for police officers across the country during summer 2018.
The domestic violence risk assessment tool, soon to become an integral part of the management of domestic violence cases in Georgia, will enable police officers to document the history of violence suffered and evaluate risks for lethality and re-offence using a standardized methodology. The tool will further inform the police, prosecution and courts during the investigation and pretrial stage to place appropriate restrictive measures against perpetrators and protective measures for survivors. It will further help the prosecution to build stronger cases for adjudication and thus achieve proportional sanctions for the crime.
“Georgia is the first country in this region to introduce risk assessment in the management of domestic violence cases, which makes the Ministry of Internal Affairs a regional leader in this regard,” noted Melissa Scaia, Director of International Trainings at Global Rights for Women, as she further complimented UN Women and the Ministry of Internal Affairs on their joint work.
Londa Toloria, Head of the Human Rights Protection Department at the Ministry of Internal Affairs, expressed hope that the introduction of the standardized risk assessment methodology will significantly elevate police response to domestic violence, ensuring improved safety planning for victims and management of perpetrators.
The initiative is supported within the framework of the “Unite to Fight Violence against Women” project – a three-year multi-pronged action funded by the European Union and implemented by UN Women aimed at preventing violence against women and domestic violence and eliminating its causes and consequences in Georgia.