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SERVICE PROVISION
The core of Sakhli’s activities is the provision of services to victims of domestic, gender-based and sexual violence. Since March 2000 approximately 9,500 beneficiaries have been consulted by our organization, out of which 67% received psychological consultation/rehabilitation (individual and group), 33% legal aid and 47% medical consultations.
Main forms of violence faced by our beneficiaries:
In 2007 - 2016 Sakhli provided its services through the following offices: head office in Tbilisi; regional office in Gori; partner organizations in Zugdidi (Association ATINATI); Gori (Gori Gender Resource Center); Akhmeta (Kakheti regional Development Foundation). Sakhli ran two Crisis Centres, one in Tbilisi and one in Zugdidi providing complex services for victims of domestic and gender-based violence. These services included short term accommodation. In the past Sakhli has operated a crisis centre also in Gori and operated a shelter for victims from the internally displaced population and refugees in Tbilisi offering long term accommodation and other services.
Within the Crisis Centres in Tbilisi, Gori and Zugdidi during their operation between 2007-2016, Sakhli has provided the following number of services to victims of domestic and gender-based violence:
VAW/DV Crisis Centers in The Regions of Georgia
Zugdidi / Tsaishi Crisis Center
Telavi crisis Center
In 2016-2022, the Consultation Centre for Women „Sakhli“ as the partner of the United Nations Women's Organization (UN Women) was involved in the implementation of the UN Women's project: "United Nations Joint Program for Gender Equality". "Sakhli" provided the establishment of crisis centers for victims/survivors of violence against women and domestic violence in two regions of Georgia –Samegrelo and Kaheti - in Zugdidi and Telavi.
The mentioned activity started with negotiations with local municipalities - for the allocation of
appropriate building/space for crisis centers.
In 2017, the organization was temporarily given buildings for crisis centers from the municipalities of Zugdidi and Telavi, which needed rehabilitation and reconstruction. In this case, the organization had the constant support and assistance of UN Women, the necessary funds for rehabilitation were received from the Embassy of Poland on the recommendation of UN Women.
Sakhli carried out intensive works to rehabilitate/repair the buildings, equipped (furniture,
household appliances and items) and staffed.
Since 2019, the crisis center has started receiving and serving beneficiaries.The services of the crisis centers included: social and psychological counseling/assistance, short-term accommodation in crisis situations (for 7 days), provision of information, if necessary, referral for legal
advice/assistance regarding legal issues, long-term placement in a shelter for victims of domestic
violence (in Kutaisi, Sighnaghi);
In 2019-2021, the crisis center received and provided services to women, girls and children living in
the Zugdidi and Telavi regions (see the table for the data):
Zugdidi / Tsaishi Crisis Center
Activities
Telavi Crisis Center
Activities
Sakhli in support to the Ukrainian refugees
In 2022, due to the hostilities in Ukraine, millions of Ukrainians left the country and sought refuge in different countries, including Georgia. Their number increased over time and reached 17,000. Helping adults and children of internally displaced Ukrainian citizens, including provision of psychological and mental health services, was on the agenda.
In 2022, Sakhli provided free psychological (individual and group) and mental health services to refugees from Ukraine to alleviate and cope with the effects of war and forced displacement trauma.
Information about these services was widely distributed both on social networks and in places where refugees were accommodated. The information was also spread by the people whom the organization helped. In addition to the mentioned services, entertainment events were also organized for Ukrainian children, a cultural event - a visit to the theater for adults. Beneficiaries express their satisfaction with the assistance provided, they note the improvement of their psycho-emotional condition, which is also confirmed by the number of people who come with their recommendations.
About 100 citizens of Ukraine - adults and children, (42% adults, 58% children and adolescents) were provided with various services in the period of June-December 2022, namely: psychological counseling, therapeutic sessions, psychiatric consultation, and they were also involved in group sessions. Art therapy sessions and entertainment events were organized for Ukrainian children.
Protection and assistance to women and girls during the Covid-19 pandemic crisis
In 2021-2024 , Sakhli within the framework of the project "Protection and assistance to women and girls during the covid-19 pandemic crisis" supported by the United Nations Trust Fund, made available psycho-social and mental health services (individual and group) to women and girls with the problem of domestic violence in the situation of the pandemic crisis and after, as well as theoretical and skills training courses, domestic violence awareness raising group sessions for adults and teenagers
Within the framework of the project, more than 400 people (women, girls, adolescents and children) were provided with individual psychological and psychiatric assistance, were involved in group sessions and trainings. About 70 women and girls participated in theoretical and vocational trainings in order to equip them with new knowledge and skills for the independent, violence free life, to empower them and increase opportunities to participate in the labor market.
Informative video clips/podcasts on VAW, DV and related issues were prepared and posted on the Internet, where the representatives of various fields - psychologists, gender specialists, journalists, representatives of state and non-governmental organizations/ services speak about domestic violence and related issues, provide information to listeners, interested persons and public.
Within the framework of the project, a study was also planned and carried out, the purpose of which was to assess the impact of the crisis created as a result of the pandemic on women and girls, including the problem of domestic violence. A quantitative survey was conducted throughout Tbilisi, the results of which are presented in the section -"Research".
With the purpose of lobbying the issue of the introduction of the supervision practices in the DV service providing institutions meetings were held with the representatives of the relevant agencies and NGOs, working in the field of protection and assistance of victims of domestic violence.