Countering Violent Crime against women and girls (COVIOCRIM)– A project implicating interdisciplinary educational initiatives in Georgia based on accompanying empirical research

• In Event: Interventions, support and advocacy in VAWG

Abstract

COVIOCRIM is an interdisciplinary project dedicated to combating violence against women and girls in Georgia. It is carried out by the University of Graz (Austria) and the Medical University of Graz (Austria) together with New Vision University Tbilisi (Georgia). The project is funded by the Austrian Partnership Program in Higher Education and Research for Development (APPEAR) and implemented with the support of the Austrian Development Agency of the Austrian Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs. It aims to provide interdisciplinary knowledge to professionals in various fields, such as policemen, medical experts, professionals working in victim support organizations or probation. These professionals are often first responders to violent crime with crucial tasks requiring interdisciplinary expertise. Therefore, the project targets the development of legal and criminological competencies by offering interactive and interdisciplinary training programs. Furthermore, during these trainings data on the current state were collected through a questionnaire. The questionnaire included questions on the perception of the current working environment (challenges and needs), as well as on needs for further educational interventions. This paper presents both qualitative and quantitatively assessed data implicating interdisciplinary initiatives in the field for establishing effective and sustainable approaches. The findings also shed light on adaptive and evidence-based project processes, emphasizing the need for flexibility in response to emerging insights while pointing out its potential chances and limitations within “cross-border” and “cross-discipline” projects in this particularly field shaped by societal, cultural, political and legal dimensions.

Authors

• Nina Kaiser, Hans Gross Centre for Interdisciplinary Criminal Sciences (Institute of Criminal Law, Criminal Procedural Law and Criminology, University of Graz, Austria)

• Ida Leibetseder, Hans Gross Centre for Interdisciplinary Criminal Sciences (Institute of Criminal Law, Criminal Procedural Law and Criminology, University of Graz, Austria)