Today, the Parliament of Georgia adopted draft law on “Violence against Women and/or Prevention of Domestic Violence, Protection and Assistance to the Victims of Violence” and other subsequent amendments in the third reading, elaborated by the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
Adopted legislative changes create additional mechanisms to increase the effectiveness of protection for victims of domestic violence and violence against women. According to the law, in parallel with issuing restraining order, it will be possible to impose electronic surveillance on the abuser in case if there is a real threat of recurrence of violence. In the process of imposing an electronic surveillance, the criminal record of the abuser, including facts of committing violent crimes with involvement of cold steel and firearms and other circumstances will be considered.
In case of imposing electronic surveillance, an electronic bracelet will be attached to the body of the abuser. As a result, the abuser will be monitored in real-time to prevent him/her from approaching the victim's place of residence, office or other area.
The issue of establishing electronic surveillance against the abuser will be subject to judicial control. The protocol issued by the police will be submitted to the court for approval within 24 hours of its publication.
Fulfillment of obligations imposed against the abuser is mandatory. Evading the electronic surveillance from the side of the abuser will be subject to criminal responsibility.
In addition, the legislative package provides for other important changes as well. Taking into account the interests of the victim of domestic violence, the validity of the protective order is increased up to 9 months, instead of six. The definition of a family member will also be expanded, adding persons being in unregistered marriage in the past to the list of a family members as well as recipient of support or a person under custody.
The legislative package will enter into force on September 1, 2020. The aforementioned changes will help prevent the recurrence of violence against women, domestic violence and provide effective protection mechanism for the victims.
Ministry of Internal Affairs reiterates that the fight against domestic violence and domestic crime is one of the major priorities of the Agency. Ministry of Internal Affairs will gradually take a number of effective steps in this direction.
