Information for UK nationals affected by domestic abuse in Georgia
This guide gives advice for UK nationals affected by domestic abuse in Georgia, the services available and how to report abuse to the police.
Recognising domestic abuse
Domestic abuse includes, but is not limited to, physical, sexual, emotional and financial abuse. It can also include controlling and coercive behaviour. Women are more likely than men to experience domestic abuse, particularly intimate partner violence, sexual assault and stalking.
The UK government’s definition of domestic abuse is: ”Any incident or pattern of incidents of controlling, coercive or threatening behaviour, violence or abuse between those aged 16 or above who are or have been intimate partners or family members regardless of gender or sexuality. This can encompass, but is not limited to, the following types of abuse: psychological, physical, sexual, financial, emotional, controlling and coercive behaviour. ”
The Georgian government’s definition of domestic abuse is: ”The violation of constitutional rights and freedoms of one family member by another family member through neglect and/or physical, psychological, economic, sexual violence or coercion.”
If you are experiencing domestic abuse and feel frightened of, or controlled by a partner, an ex-partner or family member, it is important to remember that it is not your fault and there is no shame in seeking help.
First steps
You do not have to wait for an emergency situation to seek help. There are resources available to support you in the Support organisations in Georgia section of this guide). It is important to tell someone what you are going through, so that you are not alone.
If you’re worried someone might be checking your internet history and see you have visited this page, please see this information from Women’s Aid.
It is your choice about what you do next, but this information may help you identify the options available and enable you to make an informed decision on what is right for you.
The most important thing is to make sure that you are safe. If you are in immediate danger and feel your life is at risk, call the police using the emergency number 112.
For free confidential advice 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, the following government women’s helpline is available in Georgia: +995 32 116 006.
This is the national domestic abuse and sexual violence support line, with interpretation available in English.
You can also:
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contact your tour operator if you are travelling with one
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contact the British Embassy Tbilisi - GOV.UK on +995 (32) 227 47 47. We can provide you with information on local police and medical procedures. Anything you tell us will be in confidence. If you want us to, we can contact your family and friends for you.
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if you have been affected by rape or sexual assault, refer to our guide for survivors of rape and sexual assault in Georgia
The British Embassy can:
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help you contact your health insurance company and your family
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help you make arrangements to travel back to the UK
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provide you with information on local support in the UK
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provide you with lists of English-speaking medical facilities, lawyers and translators in Georgia
If you are worried that someone you know is experiencing domestic abuse, you can contact the British Embassy. However, our assistance will be limited without the consent of the victim.
If you need medical treatment
If you have been injured, you can seek medical treatment at the nearest hospital or clinic. Check our list of medical facilities in Georgia.
Foreign nationals can access services in all state hospitals. You may need to pay a fee.
In most private and state hospitals, you can pay with debit cards. In some private hospitals, you can pay with credit cards or insurance.
If you are prescribed medication, you may wishwant to keep a record of the medication and let your local health care provider or GP know when you return home.
If you find it helpful, you should ask someone to go with you to the hospital or medical centre for support. This could be a friend or family member.
If you need additional support, and you are in an area where there is a British embassy or consulate, we will try to send a consular officer to support you, where timing and location allow.
If you are travelling with a tour operator, you can ask them for assistance. They may be able to accompany you to the hospital or medical centre.
Safety planning
You may wish to consider taking precautions to plan for your safety. This could include:
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keeping your phone charged, and write down any phone numbers that are necessary to request assistance
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informing a trusted neighbour or acquaintance of the problem
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asking relatives or friends to visit more frequently
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collecting information about local support
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preparing a small emergency bag with identification papers, money, and clothes
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staying away from dangerous places in the home, in the event of violence, such as a kitchen
Leaving the family home
If you have children, you may wish to seek legal advice before leaving the family home. If you have concerns about the safety of children, you can raise those with the Children’s Rights Department under the Public Defender of Georgia.
If you want to report an incident to the police
If you want to report the incident to the police, take photos of your injuries and provide evidence, such as recordings and texts, and details of any witnesses if relevant.
If you have been sexually abused, you should see a doctor and get a medical certificate stating your injuries. You may be able to ask hospital staff to call the police on your behalf.
You can also make an official report of an incident at your nearest police station. It is unlikely that the police will speak English; however, they will invite an interpreter at the state’s expense to take a report from foreigners. You may have to wait for the interpreter to arrive.
Georgian judicial procedures fall under the responsibility of the Prosecutor’s Office of Georgia. You should be aware that a Prosecutor can decide to pursue a case, even if a victim withdraws his or her allegation and can put restrictions in place that the abuser must respect or face prosecution.
In all circumstances, you should seek proper legal advice. Find a list of English-speaking lawyers in Georgia.
If you do not want to report an incident to the police
It is your choice whether you report the abuse, but a police report may be required for future applications related to your safety, residence rights, divorce and child custody arrangements. You might want to gather and retain any evidence you can, in case you change your mind later.
If you go to the hospital but you do not want to report it to the police, note that the doctors are obliged to report suspected abuse to the police. They may not be able to respect your wish about not reporting to the authorities.
Protection measures for victims of domestic abuse
Protective Orders
A protective order is an act issued by a judge in the manner of administrative proceedings, which determines temporary protection measures for the victim. The manner and procedure of issuing a protective order and applying it to the court are determined by the administrative procedure code of Georgia. The application for issuing a protective order is considered in the court of first instance according to the place of residence of the victim.
How to request a Protective Order
Victims, their family members and/or, with the consent of the victim, a social worker or a person who provides medical, legal or psychological assistance to the victim, may apply for a protective order. In cases of violence against a child, the issuance of a protective order may be requested by the relevant guardianship and custody authority. A protective order is effective immediately upon issuance and shall be issued for a period of up to nine months. A court shall specify its particular validity period. For more information visit the Human Rights Guide page.
Reporting to the UK police
The support available to you, and your access to justice, may vary according to where you report the crime. In almost all instances, if you want the incident to be investigated, you must report the abuse before you leave Georgia.
If you do not report the crime in Georgia and you return to the UK, you can still report the matter to your local UK police. You should be aware that while the UK police can record an incident and assist you in reporting the crime to the overseas authority. They cannot insist that the crime is investigated, nor can they conduct investigations abroad. The decision to pursue an investigation rests with the local authorities in Georgia, who may choose to take no action.
You can report the crime to the UK police even if you are not seeking an investigation abroad. The UK police can offer you access to victim support in the UK. They may still send some details of the crime to the police in Georgia as this might be necessary in order to protect vulnerable people, or to stop more crimes being committed.
British and UK resident abusers
If the incident was reported abroad, UK authorities will assist in the extradition of any UK resident requested by a foreign country. If your attacker is a UK resident you may be able to get protection from them in the UK by, for example, getting an injunction to keep them away from you. You should speak to a lawyer about the options available to you.
If the suspect is a UK national (or UK resident), subject to certain conditions, UK police forces may be able to prosecute the suspect in the UK for an offence committed outside the UK. Your local police station should be able to advise or refer your case to the Crown Prosecution Service or Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service.
Support organisations in Georgia
Most specialist associations dealing with domestic abuse in Georgia have a legal section and will provide free or fee bearing legal advice depending on your income.
The state domestic abuse and sexual violence support line, with interpretation available in English for female and male victims of domestic abuse, can be contacted on +995 32 116 006.
The location of shelters for female victims is confidential and can be obtained by calling the above number and asking for the address of the nearest shelter.
You can also go to the crisis centres for victims of violence (in Georgian, ოჯახში ძალადობის მსხვერპლთა მომსახურების კრიზისული ცენტრი). The crisis centres provide the following services:
- psychological and social rehabilitation/support
- organisation and provision of medical services
- legal assistance/representation
- interpreter services, if needed
All services at the crisis centres are free of charge.
The crisis centres operate from 9am to 6pm, except weekends and public holidays.
If a person who has experienced violence requires temporary 24-hour shelter services, they are referred to a shelter under the agency or to the crisis centre for victims of violence in Tbilisi.
Crisis centre locations:
Tbilisi Crisis Centre
28 Budapest Street
Kutaisi Crisis Centre
59-61 Dumbadze Street
Gori Crisis Centre
9a Barnovi Street
Ozurgeti Crisis Centre
21 Griboedov Street
Ozurgeti
Marneuli Crisis Centre
41 Rustaveli Street
Building 48
Marneuli
Telavi Crisis Centre
8 Davit Rector Street
Telavi
Zugdidi Crisis Centre
Tsaishi Village
Zugdidi Municipality
If you are the victim of domestic violence or possess any information about domestic violence, please call the hotline for victims of domestic violence at the State Fund for the Protection and Assistance of Victims of Human Trafficking and other victims: +995 32 116 006 or the emergency number 112.
| Organisation | Telephone number | Further information |
|---|---|---|
| Sapari | +995 0322 307 603/ +995 599 407 603 | Sapari is an independent non-governmental organization working with issues concerning women’s rights. |
| Partnership for Human Rights (PHR) | +995 0322 331 356 | Partnership for Human Rights aims to support various social groups - including children, persons with disabilities, the elderly and others, to strengthen gender equality and to support women’s involvement in civic and political activities. |
| Social Justice Center | +995 0322 233 706 | Social Justice Center is an organization working on human rights, including women’s rights and social justice. |
| Ombudsman | +995 0322 995 898 | The Ombudsman is a state institution responsible for safeguarding your human rights in Georgia. |
| Legal Aid Service | +995 0322 920 055 | Legal Aid Service is a state organisation which provides free legal assistance for socially vulnerable citizens who would not be able to pay for attorney services otherwise. |
Returning to the UK
If you are returning to the UK, please see Domestic Abuse: how to get help.
You may also wish to contact these support organisations.
| Organisation | Telephone number | Further information |
|---|---|---|
| Women’s Aid | 0808 2000 247 | |
| Women’s Aid Scotland | 0800 027 1234 | |
| Women’s Aid Wales | 0800 80 10 800 | |
| Women’s Aid Northern Ireland | 0808 802 1414 | |
| Refuge | 080 2000 247 | |
| Karma Nirvana | 0800 5999 247 | Supports BAME women |
| Southall Black Sisters | 020 8571 0800 | Supports BAME women |
| Respect | 0808 801 0327 | Supports male victims |
Disclaimer
This information has been prepared by UK government officials who are not legally or medically trained. It should therefore never be used as a substitute for professional medical or legal advice. It is intended to help British nationals abroad make their own informed decisions. Neither the UK government nor any official of the Consulate accept liability for any loss or damage which you might suffer as a result of relying on the information supplied.