In Georgia 101 specialized prosecutors and investigators focus on domestic violence

As of 1 May 2018, only specialized prosecutors and investigators will handle the cases of domestic violence in Georgia. The Chief Prosecutor’s Office (CPO) has launched this initiative with the support of UN Women.

The first cohort of 101 prosecutors and investigators received certificates in completing specialized training course on domestic violence; Photo: The Chief Prosecutor's Office

To improve the quality of prosecutorial performance and better protect the interests of survivors of domestic violence, the selected prosecutors from all regions of Georgia underwent a specialized course on domestic violence. The course covers the psycho-emotional aspects of working with survivors, witnesses and perpetrators of domestic violence and provides an overview of current domestic and international legislative frameworks related to domestic violence. The training course has been developed with the support of and in close cooperation with UN Women Georgia and institutionalized by the CPO as part of the regular, continuous education of prosecutors in line with the CPO Decree of February 2018. The first cohort of 101 prosecutors and investigators received certificates from the Chief Prosecutor of Georgia, Irakli Shotadze, and UN Women Representative Erika Kvapilova on 30 April.

“The specialization of professionals, along with the consistent approach of the state, will significantly contribute to increasing victims’ trust in law enforcement and to the effective fight against domestic violence,” Mr. Shotadze noted at the course completion ceremony.

Ms. Kvapilova remarked that due to the special nature of domestic violence crimes, law enforcement requires special knowledge and skills to handle the cases, prevent revictimization, ensure the safety of the survivors and deliver convictions with proportional sanctions against perpetrators. Noting that the number of criminal prosecutions in cases of domestic violence has quadrupled in the past four years, Ms. Kvapilova recognized this as a positive signal that law enforcement in Georgia is serious about zero tolerance for violence against women and domestic violence.

UN Women has been cooperating with the CPO since 2014 within the framework of the UN Joint Programme for Gender Equality, implemented by UN Women, UNDP and UNFPA and funded by the Government of Sweden.