**Women Detained and Abused by Police in Georgia**
Since November 28, 10 women have been detained in Georgia. According to reports from non-governmental organizations (NGOs), the women were physically assaulted, threatened with rape, and even told they would be killed.
During a briefing with several NGOs, Nino Lomjaria spoke about the violence against women. She said that police had also physically assaulted men during protests in November and December.
**Women’s Horrific Experiences**
Several women have spoken publicly about their experiences. They claim to have been subjected to physical violence, degrading treatment, and sexual harassment while in detention. Some were forced to kneel or were not allowed to sit on a seat in the detention vehicle. Others had videos taken of them at the police station and were humiliated with sexually suggestive comments.
**Abuse is Unacceptable**
Lomjaria said that it was unacceptable for state representatives to engage in actions that degrade, violate dignity, or aim to harass individuals based on their sexual or other characteristics. She noted that torture, inhumane, or degrading treatment is prohibited under the Georgian Constitution and international human rights law.
**What to Do If You Have Been Abused**
If you have experienced any of these acts, please inform your lawyer who can address the relevant authorities. If you do not have a lawyer, you can contact Georgian non-governmental organizations for confidential assistance.
**Rights While in Detention**
Lomjaria also highlighted several rights that women should know while being detained:
* Personal searches must be conducted by someone of the same gender.
* You must be informed if video surveillance is present during personal searches.
* Complete undressing is prohibited during personal searches.