Anti-Violence Network of Georgia (AVNG) is a nongovernmental organization, the goal of which is to promote creation of a nonviolent society. The establishment of AVNG was preceded by actions aimed at the protection of domestic violence victims that since 2001 took place in the whole Georgia.   

This movement was established by the Open Society Georgia Foundation (OSGF) Women’s Program. The further development of the network was supported by the gender section of the Democratic Institutions and Human Rights office (OSCE-ODIHR).

It is exactly on this basis, that in 2003, with the support of Open Society Georgia Foundation Women’s Program, Anti-Violence Network of Georgia (AVNG) was created. AVNG has already been engaged for many years in legal protection and psycho-social rehabilitation of domestic violence victims, as well as in legislative and educational activities.

Sustainable development of AVNG is supported by Open Society Institute (OSI) and Kvinna till Kvinna (KTK) for already many years. Thanks to their support, the organization is able to conduct diverse activities, and nowadays has become one of the strongest NGO working on the domestic violence issues.

Law-making activiries 

Together with the representatives of other governmental and nongovernmental institutions, AVNG is the co-author of the law “On Prevention of Domestic Violence, Protection and Assistance of Victims of Domestic Violence” which was adopted by the Parliament on 25 May 2006. Since 2007, AVNG is the author of 5 packages of legal amendments that included 22 draft laws aimed at the creation of the legislative framework enabling successful fight against domestic violence, and effective protection of domestic violence victims.  

Training

For the purpose of supporting the implementation of the existing legislation against domestic violence, AVNG is permanently conducting trainings, both in Tbilisi and in the regions, for the police officers, service inspectors, prosecutors, lawyers, judges and human rights activists. In order to ensure the systematic character and effectiveness of the above mentioned trainings, AVNG has prepared a course, module and manual for Judges Academy. 

Awareness-raising activities

The organization holds meetings throughout the country with the local governments on the issue of raising public awareness on the domestic violence problem and engages them in the process. In addition, the organization regularly holds meetings with women‘s groups in regions and villages for the purpose of revealing the problems. 

In frames of the projects, AVNG worked on an important number of researches that showed the importance of the problem of domestic violence in Georgia.

That's why activities implemented by AVNG are directed at joining the potential of governmental and non-governmental organizations for the purpose of defeating domestic violence problem, as we believe that we can overcome the problem only together. 

In the frame of Project “Drug-free Generation”, with the support of Polish government, in Tbilisi and other regions of Georgia, informative meetings were held in 60 schools with teachers and teenagers in 2009-11. The purpose of the meetings was prevention of drug usage and promotion of healthy lifestyle among youth. In this framework, hundreds of brochures were printed and spread for teachers and parents, as well as for teenagers separately.

Services

Legal consultations

The applicant is provided with the information on existing legal mechanisms for protecting victims. The applicant receives consultation directly through the lawyer of the organization, as well as online. AVNG lawyer provides the beneficiaries of the organization with the representation at the first instance court on civil and administrative cases.

Psychological support

AVNG crisis center offers quality psychological assistance to the victims of domestic violence (children, teenagers and their family members, as well as adults).

The service includes:

• -  Individual consultations;
• -  Group therapy
• -  Training in social skills

The organization benediciaries are involved in the self-help group that functions on the base of AVNG.

Support of social worker

The beneficiary that comes at the office receives comprehensive information from the social worker on the existing services for the victims of domestic violence.

Shelter service

In case the life and health of the domestic violence victim is threatened, she is placed in the shelter, where she undergoes relevant psycho-social rehabilitation. The beneficiary is suggested the needed measures, such as supporting her employment or mediating with different state and non-state institutions. The organization frequently plays the role of the mediator between the beneficiary and her family.

Hotline

The applicants have the opportunity to receive the information on the services of the organization online and receive legal consultation.

They believe that: 

• - Nobody can stay insensitive to the problem of domestic violence; 
• - There is no such problem, which cannot be solved through united efforts; 
• - Their activities shall contribute to establishment of the environment, which shall be free from violence; 
• - With their activities they create mechanisms of continuous response to cases of domestic violence; 
• - Their activities contribute to enhancing mechanisms of rendering of assistance to the victims of violence; 
• - Capacity building of the organization, professionalism of their staff and cooperation with other organizations is the precondition of our success; 

They realize that:

• - Domestic violence is a crime against humanity, society and the state; 
• - Domestic violence is a systemic problem, which deters the society from development; 
• - Domestic violence is undermining human rights and freedoms and precludes persons from involvement in democratic processes; 
• - Domestic violence can be prevented only through unified efforts of all citizens. 

Vision of the Organization: 

Harmonious family – the guarantee of violence-free society