Social Services Provision in Samegrelo Zemo Svaneti, Georgia

DV/GBV remain largely undeclared in Georgia yet reports have increased over the past decade. In 2006, Georgia passed a DV law but reporting to police is challenging.

Perpetrators are mostly left unaddressed with no mandatory therapy or eviction, leaving resettlement to survivors.

Around-the-clock shelters are key for emergency yet temporary solutions. No shelters exist in Abkhazia where support is informal.

CSOs play a key role in supporting DV/GBV survivors but lack resources to operate shelters as donors focus on Ukraine.

In 2017, Georgia was the only non-EU country to ratify the Istanbul Convention, albeit with a reserve. Turkey withdrew in 2021; Ukraine ratified in 2022.

Approaches to DV/GBV, including services, are loaded with geopolitics.