About Us – Public Health Foundation of Georgia

In 2002, the Public Health Foundation of Georgia established the first counseling and rehabilitation service for children, victims of abuse in Georgia, known as the “Child Support Center”; This center continues to provide vital services to children who are at risk or victims of child abuse.

In 2008, the International Society for the Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect (ISPCAN) recognized the multidisciplinary team of the Public Health Foundation of Georgia with an award for their outstanding contributions to the field of child welfare.

Children and young people play a crucial role in the planning and implementing the Foundation’s programs. They actively participate in peer education, awareness-raising campaigns, and the development of educational programs on child abuse issues. In 2010, children made significant contributions to the development of the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child’s General Comment on the protection of children from violence.

Children possess the capacity to safeguard their own rights if adults do not impede this ability. In 2008, the Public Health Foundation of Georgia established a Child Helpline with the European international number 116 111, providing children with a platform to discuss their problems and seek assistance when needed.

The Foundation initiated and subsequently conducted the United Nations Children’s Fund studies – “National Study on Violence against Children in Georgia”; and “National Study on School Violence in Georgian”; in 2007-2008. The research findings played a pivotal role in establishing the child protection system in Georgia and incorporating child protection issues into state action plans for child protection and welfare. This process culminated successfully in 2010, with the official approval of child protection (referral) procedures. The knowledge and expertise of the Public Health Foundation of Georgia in multidisciplinary and multisectoral cooperation for managing child abuse cases are reflected in these child protection referral procedures.

The Public Health Foundation of Georgia expends significant efforts to enhance the knowledge and skills of professionals who interact with children as part of their professional duties. Throughout its existence, the Foundation has provided training to hundreds of professionals, including social workers, psychologists, lawyers, police officers, doctors, nurses, teachers, educators, and others, focusing on child abuse prevention, recognition of violence, and provision of appropriate response measures.

The foundation has also developed and published guidelines for the identification and management of child abuse tailored to nurses, social workers, doctors, and law enforcement professionals. Additionally, it has played a pivotal role in integrating child abuse education into curricula at Georgian universities, benefitting future professionals such as doctors, psychologists, educators, social workers, and law enforcement personnel.

The Public Health Foundation of Georgia has made significant strides in improving the situation for child victims and witnesses of violence within the litigation process. This progress includes developing an interview-questioning methodology for them, publishing it, and providing training to law enforcement representatives on its implementation. The guideline for trainers and professionals titled “Tell Me What Happened – Interviewing Child Victims and Witnesses” was published in 2014. It was based on the structured Investigative Interview Protocol for child victims and witnesses developed by the US National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD Protocol). The development and adaptation of the Georgian version was carried out in close collaboration with the original version’s group of authors.

In its advocacy efforts, the Public Health Foundation of Georgia uses international audience and tools, collaborates with local and international partners to prepare and present alternative reports. The foundation is an active member of numerous international and local networks and coalitions.

This website of the Public Health Foundation of Georgia is dedicated to protecting children from violence, offering a brief overview of the foundation’s experience in this field. With a successful track record in public health, charity, and humanitarian activities, the foundation’s commitment to protecting children from violence has been fundamental from its inception and continues to this day.