The number of cases of sexual violence in January 2021 increased by 5 percentage points compared to the previous year, notes the report of the Georgian Young Lawyers Association.
The report highlights that sexual violence remains one of the most serious, covert and unpunished forms of gender-based violence.
“Sexual violence remains one of the most serious, covert and unpunished forms of gender-based violence. Existing legislation and practice fails to provide effective, gender-sensitive legal mechanisms for sexual violence. Justice for women victims of violence is inaccessible and/or difficult to access.
“Cases of sexual violence in January 2021 increased by 5 percentage points compared to the previous year. This year, the public became aware of a number of serious cases of sexual offenses, the victims of which are minors. The facts of sexual violence against minors and the grave consequences show that it is problematic to investigate sexual violence against girls under the age of 16 and to qualify the crime correctly,” the organization said in a statement.
“Grave cases of sexual violence require the state to work actively to prevent similar crimes, whereas, in the event of a crime being committed, the relevant authorities need to conduct a prompt, effective investigation, as well as provide the victims of sexual violence, especially juvenile victims, with appropriate effective protection and assistance services,” the report concluded.
Further, the GYLA highlights the problem of abortion in the country and states that the issue of forced abortion in Georgia is still not regulated by law and is a criminal act, despite the obligation to ratify the Istanbul Convention.
By Ana Dumbadze
Full report available here
