Domestic Violence in Georgia: Children, Women & Men — Law, Practice, Remedies, and the Gaps We Fight Through

Domestic violence in Georgia is not a headline; it’s a daily reality that touches women, men, and — most painfully — children. At DivorceLawyers.ge, we represent victims who need safety now, parents falsely accused during custody disputes, and minors who are left without protection because the legal “threshold” for violence is set too high or applied too narrowly in practice. This article brings together the Georgian legal framework, real courtroom experience, fresh statistics, and the concrete ways we fight for our clients — adults and children alike.

Quick facts: what the latest numbers say

• Half of women (50.1%) aged 15–69 in Georgia have experienced at least one form of violence in their lifetime (National VAW study, 2022, published 2023). :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}
• According to the Public Defender’s 2024 report (covering prior years), the police issued 9,376 restraining orders in 2023. Protective orders numbered in the double digits (court-issued, longer-term), and prosecutors launched proceedings in over 5,000 domestic-violence cases. 
• The Ministry of Internal Affairs publishes domestic violence dashboards; the 2025 H1 breakdown shows thousands of cases classified as psychological vs. physical violence (e.g., Jan–Jun 2025: physical 1,158; psychological 3,729; plus economic, sexual, coercion, and neglect). 
• Media summaries of MIA data indicate a decline in restraining orders from the pandemic peak — e.g., 10,321 orders in 2020, 8,744 in 2024, and 4,034 in the first half of 2025. 

Reality check: these figures still undercount harm to children because non-physical abuse is underreported and often under-recognized in courts and by agencies.

Law on paper vs. life in court

Georgia’s framework includes the Law on the Prevention of Violence against Women and/or Domestic Violence, criminal provisions on physical and psychological harm, and civil-law tools for immediate and longer-term protection (police restraining orders and court protective orders). In practice, however, decision-makers too often apply a narrow, injury-centric threshold, discounting sustained psychological abuse, coercive control, or manipulative isolation as mere “family conflict.” That is where cases begin to fail victims — especially children — despite the state’s formal commitments and action plans.

Protective tools — and why they can fall short

• Restraining Order (police): fast, short-term barrier (no contact/approach). Effective when promptly issued and strictly enforced.
• Protective Order (court): longer-term measures, often with tailored conditions (residence, contact, child-related boundaries).

In a significant number of cases we see, courts or investigators delay or refuse measures because “urgent risk” is not sufficiently proven, or because psychological harm lacks visible injury. The Public Defender’s 2024 report explicitly flags unjustified refusals to assess risk and incomplete investigations in domestic violence cases — problems that directly translate into dangerous outcomes for families. 

Children: the threshold problem that leaves minors unprotected

Children’s experiences of fear, intimidation, and coercive control are frequently diminished under a strict “no bruises, no case” logic. Even when minors are exposed to degrading environments or manipulative dynamics, courts can rule that the legal definition of violence is not met, leaving children in risky situations. MIA’s own category data shows psychological violence as a large share of incidents — yet this category is the easiest to minimize in proceedings. 

Ombudsman (Public Defender): good recommendations, uneven implementation

The Public Defender has repeatedly recommended tighter, clearer, and consistently enforced procedures — including controlling the police “warning” mechanism and issuing practical guidelines for inquiries and risk assessment. The problem: these recommendations are not always implemented in practice or remain on paper without harmonized inter-agency follow-through.

Recent annual reports again highlight coordination gaps, insufficiently reasoned refusals, and investigative shortcomings that undermine victim safety and trust in the system. 

False accusations: real harm in the other direction

Most complaints are genuine and must be treated as such. But in custody battles we also encounter false or strategic accusations meant to block contact or gain advantage. Temporary restrictions can be imposed early, before facts are fully tested. We respond by demanding procedural fairness, prompt evidentiary hearings, and consequences for misuse — because protecting victims and protecting due process are both essential to justice.

Our practice toolbox — how we fight for clients (women, men, and children)

• Adults seeking protection: We build comprehensive files (medical records, neighbor/witness statements, device and message logs, photos, expert notes) to secure immediate orders and enforce them.
• Children at risk: We insist on forensic psychological evaluations, child-sensitive interviews, and international standards (UN CRC / ECHR reasoning) so non-physical harm is not ignored.
• Falsely accused parents: We push for early testing of credibility, disclosure of agency notes, sanctions for perjury where warranted, and restoration of contact arrangements.
• Follow-through: When state actors under-deliver, we petition supervisors, file complaints, and escalate to the Public Defender to convert paper recommendations into concrete action on the case.

Practical guide: what to do if you need help now

1. Call 112 (emergency). Ask for a restraining order on site if there’s immediate danger.
2. Document everything: dates, messages, photos of damage or injuries, witnesses, child statements (record responsibly).
3. Medical visit: obtain an examination and the medical certificate — essential evidence.
4. Legal action: apply for a protective order with supporting evidence; request child-focused measures where minors are involved.
5. Follow up: if risk is minimized, appeal, complain, or seek Ombudsman support; ask the court to recognize psychological harm and coercive control.

 

FAQ — Domestic violence, protection, and court practice in Georgia

1) What’s the difference between a restraining order and a protective order?

A restraining order is a fast, police-issued, short-term barrier (no contact/approach). A protective order is court-issued and can last longer with tailored conditions (residence, custody/contact rules, treatment, etc.). Statistics show thousands of restraining orders yearly, but far fewer protective orders — a gap that matters for long-term safety.

2) Can psychological violence qualify for protection?

Yes. Georgian law recognizes psychological violence. In practice, it’s under-enforced because some judges and agencies still look for visible injury. Ministry data show psychological cases are widespread — it is crucial to evidence intimidation, threats, and patterns (not just incidents). 

3) Are Ombudsman recommendations binding on police and courts?

No, but they carry weight. The Public Defender repeatedly urges better risk-assessment and control of the police warning mechanism, yet implementation is uneven; many recommendations remain on paper. 

4) How common is domestic violence in Georgia?

The National Study on Violence Against Women (2022) found that roughly one in two women (50.1%) have faced some form of violence in their lifetime. 

5) Why do so many children remain unprotected?

Because non-physical abuse is minimized. If courts or agencies treat fear, coercive control, and degrading conditions as “conflict,” minors fall below the “threshold” for intervention and orders are denied.

6) What if I’m falsely accused?

Contact counsel immediately. Seek an expedited hearing, disclosure of agency notes, and a neutral assessment. Courts can lift temporary measures and, in serious cases, penalize false statements.

7) What evidence helps the most?

Medical certificates, photos, neighbor/witness statements, call/message logs, recordings (where lawful), prior police callouts, school/psychologist notes for children, and any agency correspondence.

8) How long does a protective order last?

Duration is case-specific and set by the court. Orders can be extended if risk persists or if the respondent violates terms.

9) Do the numbers mean things are getting better?

Not automatically. Restraining order counts fluctuated (e.g., 10,321 in 2020; 8,744 in 2024; 4,034 in H1-2025), but under-reporting and under-recognition of psychological harm make “declines” hard to interpret without context. 

10) What if the police issue only a “warning”?

Warnings can be useful, but they’re no substitute for a restraining or protective order. The Ombudsman has urged tighter control and guidance so warnings don’t become a dead-end that leaves victims exposed. 

11) Are there official dashboards for domestic-violence data?

Yes. The Ministry of Internal Affairs hosts public pages on domestic-violence statistics (including breakdowns by type) and annual crime stats.

12) Can your team help both victims and the falsely accused?

Yes. We protect genuine victims and also defend due process when accusations are weaponized. The point is justice: safety for victims and fairness for all parties.

Our commitment at DivorceLawyers.ge

We insist that the law protects people, not paperwork. That means pushing courts to recognize coercive control and psychological harm, using forensic psychology for minors, scrutinizing agency work when it falls short, and moving fast when false allegations derail parent-child relationships. Whether you are a woman, a man, or a concerned parent — we fight your corner.