First Crisis Center for Domestic Violence Victims Opens in Tbilisi

TBILISI - Georgia’s Ministry of Labor, Health and Social Affairs, UN Women and Swedish Development Agency opened the first crisis center for domestic violence victims in Tbilisi on Tuesday.

The new support center will provide a range of services to women in need of immediate help, including shelter and medical support. It can receive 14 victims, including people with disabilities.

The center was renovated by the State Fund for the Protection and Assistance of Victims of Human Trafficking and was fitted with furniture and other equipment by UN Women, an organization dedicated to gender equality and the empowerment of women.

Georgia’s Minister of Health David Sergeenko said that domestic violence victims could apply to the center at any time and receive psychological or medical assistance.

“Moreover, if needed these people can provide the women with a lawyer and shelter,” the Minister added.

Sergeenko said the government developed a strategy and action plan two years ago that involved a variety of agencies, including the Ministry of Health.

“Within the framework of this strategy and action plan, many activities have been carried out, and this center is part of that plan,” said Sergeenko.

According to UN Women head Erica Kvapilova, the opening of the center is a very important step towards protecting women’s rights in Georgia.

“It is a very positive tendency, and we hope it will continue,” Kvapilova said.

The State Fund for Protection and Assistance is also helping support the reintegration of domestic violence victims back into society.

By Thea Morrison

Edited by Nicholas Waller