1. Breaking the Silence About Gender Based Violence Allison Stevens and Scott Skinner Peace Corps Georgia Created by: Amy Harris, PCV genderequalitypcgeorgia@gmail.com

2. Dianne Feinstein… United States Senator, California “Domestic violence causes far more pain than the visible marks of bruises and scars. It is devastating to be abused by someone that you love and think loves you in return.”

3. Brainstorm Session In groups, write down the answers to these questions about gender based violence.  What is it?  To whom does it happen?  When does it happen?  Why does it happen?  Tell me about domestic violence in Georgia.

4. Definition  Gender based violence is physical, sexual, psychological, or financial violence that takes place within an intimate or family- type relationship and that forms a pattern of coercive and controlling behavior.

5. Victims  Gender based violence is most commonly experienced by women and perpetrated by men. Any woman can experience domestic violence regardless of race, ethnic or religious group, class, or disability.

6. Why does it happen?  All forms of gender based violence – psychological, economic, emotional, sexual, and physical – come from the abuser's desire for power and control over other family members or intimate partners.

7. Signs of Violence  Verbal Abuse  Pressure Tactics  Disrespect  Breaking Trust  Isolation  Harassment  Threats  Sexual Violence  Physical Violence  Denial

8. Impact of Gender Based Violence Children :  Short and long term damage  Physical  Emotional  Learning problems Adults :  Serious health problems

9. Worldwide Statistics UNIFEM, World Health Organization  At least 1 out of 3 women around the world has been beaten, coerced into sex, or otherwise abused in her lifetime.  6 -10% of women in the world suffer domestic violence in a given year.  4 -12% of women who have been pregnant reported having been beaten during pregnancy.  1 in 4 women and girls over the age of 15 may experience sexual violence by an intimate partner.

10. Statistics in Georgia  The Georgian government reported to the United Nations that: “family violence is one of the most widespread problems in Georgia.” (July 2006)  It is the most widely underreported crime in the country.  The Georgian law on Combating Domestic Violence, Prevention of and Support to Its Victims (Law on Domestic Violence) was established on May 25, 2006.

11. Obstacles in Georgia  Fear of retaliation by abuser  Fear of being stigmatized in the community  Inadequate police response  Inadequately trained medical personnel  Lack of shelters and services  Abusers often go unpunished  Lack of long-term solutions

12. Societal Attitudes in Georgia  What are some societal attitudes in Georgia related to gender based violence and women?

13. Societal Attitudes in Georgia NGO Caucasus Women's Research and Consulting Network  Over 90% of 1,000 Georgian women who were interviewed considered that the “woman should be more modest and try not to provoke violence.”  The problem should stay “within the family.”  Belief that marital violence is justified in cases involving a woman’s adultery or if a mother “neglects her children.”

14. Georgian Campaigns Against Gender Based Violence  “PSA: Georgian Rugby Players Say No to Violence Against Women” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F3DRdqx _dBY http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F3DRdqx _dBY

15. Breaking the Silence  How did you feel during this activity?  What did it feel like to hear, “I don’t believe you?”  What was it like to tell someone that you don’t believe what they say?  How does silence trap women?

16. Resources  ოჯახური ძალადობის ცხელი ხაზი 309 903 კრიზისის დროს მხარდაჭერა, ინტერვენცია, კონსულტაცია.  Anti-Violence Network of Georgia Focus: Domestic Violence www.avng.orgwww.avng.org or http://www.avng.ge/eng/aboutus.phphttp://www.avng.ge/eng/aboutus.php Contact: Maya Beridze, eqadia@yahoo.comeqadia@yahoo.com  Fund Sukhumi Focus: GBV www.fundsokhumi.ge Contact: Alla Gamakharia, woman@fundsokhumi.ge; alla.sukhumi@mail.ru  Advice Center for Women Saxli Focus: GBV http://www.saxli.gol.ge/ Contact: sakhli13@hotmail.com; saxli@gol.gesaxli@gol.ge  TASO Focus: Women’s Empowerment www.taso.org.ge Contact: Marina Tabukashvili, marina@taso.org.ge

17. Contact Information genderequalitypcgeorgia@gmail.com