By decentralising the training sessions, we were able to reach individuals who, due to their heavy workloads, would hardly be able to attend such further training programmes. Additionally, we focused on areas in Georgia that are home to particularly vulnerable populations or locations where there is a lack of protective initiatives and institutions. In collaboration with the Ministry of the Interior, various municipal offices, and regional offices of the Ombudsman, we were able to attract a wide range of professionals working in the VAWG field. As a result, the seminars were fully booked and also successful in regards of their interdisciplinary nature. Participants came from a diverse set of sectors, including social work, law enforcement, public administration, medicine, psychology, and law.
The exchange of insights between professionals from these different fields allowed us to continually improve our trainings, by ensuring that we address specific needs of the participants. Additionally, this collaboration generated several innovative ideas and approaches for the long-term fight against VAWG in Georgia. These ideas are expected to be developed and implemented in the following years of the project. For example, we are working on the development and establishment of affordable rape kits for first responders, creating a social awareness video for use on television and translating the "Der Wutmann" – a film used in therapeutic settings with perpetrators – into Georgian.
During the trainings, it became clear that many participants were particularly involved in child protection or had reported frequent cases of children being affected by violence. As a result, we decided to place additional emphasis on specific aspects of child victims. This focus was integrated into the overall training curriculum to address the unique challenges that children face in violent situations and to provide professionals with the tools needed to support this vulnerable group.
Looking ahead to the second year of the project, we have already established contacts with Austrian institutions and organisations which allows us to incorporate valuable Austrian practical knowledge and expertise into the "Train the Trainer" (ToT) seminars. This will also provide an opportunity to integrate best practices from Austria into the training modules, ensuring that we continue to build a solid foundation for the sustainable and effective prevention and response to VAWG in Georgia.
Project website COVIOCRIM | Countering violent crime against women and girls in Georgia
