The Role of Social Capital in Combating Domestic Violence. Nino Javakhishvili Maka Lortkipanidze Ann Petriashvili

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1 The Role of Social Capital in Combating Domestic Violence Nino Javakhishvili Maka Lortkipanidze Ann Petriashvili The present study was conducted with the support of the Academic Swiss Caucasus Net (ASCN). ASCN is a program aimed at promoting the social sciences and humanities in the South Caucasus (primarily Georgia and Armenia). Its different activities foster the emergence of a new generation of talented scholars. Promising junior researchers receive support through research projects, capacitybuilding trainings and scholarships. The program emphasizes the advancement of individuals who, thanks to their ASCN experience, become better integrated in international academic networks. The ASCN program is coordinated and operated by the Interfaculty Institute for Central and Eastern Europe (IICEE) at the University of Fribourg (Switzerland). It was initiated and is supported by Gebert Rüf Stiftung. Abstract The recent nationwide researches in many countries show that domestic violence still remains a serious problem around the world. Because of its complex nature, the most effective way to combat it needs the involvement of a broader circle of stakeholders than just specially designated state and NGO organizations. Researchers and practitioners agree that united inter-agency efforts are needed to effectively combat domestic violence with active participation of governmental and non-governmental organizations, mass media, church and local community - all these constituting the social capital. One of the main concepts of the social capital theory is the bridging social capital that links substantial sectors of the community. The bigger collective problem, the more bridging social capital is needed. The present paper analyses the role of social capital in combating domestic violence in the case of Georgia. The Georgia s case study is based on the information on all abovementioned institutions through their publications, websites, and semi-structured interviews with their representatives. Our data show that Georgian church, local community and mass media are not involved in combating the problem. On the contrary, their activities reinforce and reproduce the traditional views on family, gender roles, understanding and causes of domestic

2 2 The Role of Social Capital in Combating Domestic Violence violence, and intervention in the domestic violence cases. These actors fail to see domestic violence as a social problem and prefer not to react to it. In addition, there is no bridging social capital among the church, local community and mass media, relatively weak bridging social capital is traced between non-governmental and governmental organizations. As a result, there is only weak professional network as a social capital to face the problem, which is not enough to create conducive environment for combating domestic violence in Georgia. Key Words: Domestic violence, bridging social capital, church, mass media, local community, Georgia. ***** 1. Introduction The recent nationwide researches in many countries show that domestic violence (DV) still remains a serious problem around the world (Javakhishvili et al, 2011, Javakhishvili, Tsuladze, 2011, Thomas, et. al., 2006, Kaze, Pettai, 2008a, 2008b). Because of its complex nature, the most effective way to combat DV needs the involvement of the entire society, not just specially designated state and nongovernmental organizations. Researchers and practitioners (Dobash & Dobash, 1992; Roggeband, 2004; Johnson, Brunnel, 2006; Johnson, 2009; Weldon, 2004) agree that united inter-agency efforts are needed to effectively combat domestic violence with active participation of governmental and non-governmental organizations, mass media, church and local community - all these constituting the social capital. Social capital refers to social connections and the attendant trust that enable participants to act together more effectively to pursue shared objectives (Putnam, 1995). Putnam identifies two types of social capital: bonding social capital that arises from networking within own communities of close friends and family and is good for reciprocity and mobilizing solidarity within a group. On the other hand, by creating strong in-group loyalty, bonding social capital may also create strong out-group antagonism (Håkansson, 2009). Bridging social capital serves broader interests. It links substantial sectors of the community (Putnam, 1995), socially heterogeneous groups, thus creating new spaces where power, information and communication can be shared. Putnam refers to this form of social capital as an important tool in increasing the productivity within the society (Baker, 2009). He points out that the bigger collective problem, the more bridging social capital is needed (Håkansson, 2009). The need for the bridging social capital - inter-agency cooperation was emphasized back several decades ago. In 80s of the twentieth century in Duluth, Minnesota, the Domestic Abuse Intervention Project representatives developed a model to combat domestic violence. The Duluth model has proven to be an

3 Nino Javakhishvili, Maka Lortkipanidze, Ann Petriashvili effective and efficient strategy to overcome domestic violence. Many countries try to incorporate it as one of the best of its kind, but in every country the model needs to fit the local specifics that, sometimes, prevent successful realization of the model (Paymar, Martinson, 2009). We will demonstrate that social capital faces serious barriers in combat against domestic violence in Georgia. This study aims to explore the capacity and role of social capital to respond to domestic violence as a problem using the case of Georgia in particular, degree of coordination and networking between governmental and non-governmental organizations as well as other social institutes, such as media, church and local community. The Georgia s case study is based on the information on abovementioned institutions through their publications and websites, as well as the semi-structured interviews with the representatives of the governmental and non-governmental organizations. The research of Georgian print media and TV on combating domestic violence in the country was based on the analysis of the production of national TV channels, newspapers and magazines from 2006, when the Anti Domestic Violence Law was introduced in Georgia, till The Case of Georgia Domestic violence (DV) is a serious problem in Georgia, as it is elsewhere. Numerous studies dedicated to the topic of domestic violence in Georgia have attempted to determine its scope as well as attitudes to and knowledge about the problem. According to these studies, reported rates of violence vary from 5% to 31% (Thomas, et. al., 2006). Nevertheless, most of the Georgian society, unfortunately, still does not recognize DV as a social problem, perceiving it as a private issue and preferring not to react to it (Aladashvii, Chkheidze, 2008, Chitashvili, Arutinov, 2010). The Georgian government has taken certain steps to address the problem of domestic violence. In 2006, a state law against domestic violence and a corresponding national action plan were adopted. Also, there are numerous local and international non-governmental organizations addressing domestic violence in Georgia. Georgia has low level of bridging social capital and exhibits strong in-group networks in which people show extensive solidarity. In most cases Georgian people receive help and assistance from their families, friends and neighbors, thus demonstrating high level of bonding social capital. According to Mark Howard and other authors, the experience of communism inhibited Georgia and other postcommunist countries from developing the bridging social capital because it destroyed the interpersonal and external trust, and strengthened the personal networks (i.e. family and close friends). Thus Georgia is a law trust society where social capital is invested in close-knit families and friendship groups (CRRC, 2011). 3

4 4 The Role of Social Capital in Combating Domestic Violence 3. The Role of Mass Media in Combating Domestic Violence The media research showed that, in there were only 11 articles (3 newspapers and 4 journals) to cover the problem of domestic violence (Javakhishvili, 2010a). Media give us information only about one governmental and several nongovernmental organizations working on DV. The media does not demonstrate the involvment of Georgian Orthodox Church in combating domestic violence. There is no information revealed by the media about the participation of local community in combating domestic violence as well (Javakhishvili, 2010a). One of the strategies employed by the organizations working on the issue of domestic violence is dissemination of the information about their activities as well as about the problem of domestic violence in general. In this sense they are significantly dependent on the media. While some organizations indicate that the media have recently become more active in reporting cases of domestic violence, others complain that the media are not highlighting the issue in the ethically correct way. They seek scandalous information and in some cases breach confidentiality. Overall, organizations assess the role of media in combating domestic violence negatively (Javakhishvili et al, 2011). Reseraches in the USA and UK show that media carries the role of important change agent for raising the awarness and properly addressing the problem of domestic violence (Berns, 2009). Media posesses the power to change the attitude towards the victims of domestic violence in the society (Stanko, 2001). According to our data, the mass media provide us with sparse information about the issue of domestic violence as well as about participation of different institutions in combating domestic violence. Comparison of information from various mass media means and interviews with the representatives of governmental and non-governmental organizations lead us to conclude that mass media does not see domestic violence as a social problem and provides little space to discussing the issue. 4. Organizations Addressing the Issue of Domestic Violence in Georgia According to the research of Georgian media, five non-governmental and one governmental organizations are working on DV in Georgia (Javakhishvili, 2010a). The research on organizations gives us different results. 35 NGOs and 5 governmental organizations are working on the issue of domestic violence in Georgia (Javakhishvili et al, 2011). Most of the non-governmental organizations are small in size with approximately five employees, having limited technical and human resources, and primarily staffed by women. The organizations that share these characteristics have not been involved in many projects on domestic violence. While most are

5 Nino Javakhishvili, Maka Lortkipanidze, Ann Petriashvili relatively weak, several well-developed, larger organizations are notable for their more qualified staff and for the number of projects they have completed. The main strategy of governmental as well as non-governmental organizations is raising awareness of DV through the population. They also work for the improvement of the application of the anti domestic violence law via training different agencies, mostly police department and supporting the victims by locating them in shelters. The more active and developed, in this sense, is State Fund for the Protection and Assistance of Victims of Human Trafficking with its quite qualified stuff (Javakhishvili et al, 2011). The interviews indicate that the Fund cooperates with a very limited circle of NGOs that are considered to be elite by other NGOs. It is of interest to the researchers of social capital to study to which extent organizations of all kinds create an inter-organizational network, which could be considered as an indicator of organizations social capital. Empirical studies reveal a significant positive relationship between the social participation of the organizations, their income and networking. Organizations income is positively related to the ability or willingness to establish contacts with other organizations (Zmerli, Newton, 2006). Georgia s case study demonstrates such correlation. While most NGOs in Georgia are poor and struggling to survive, Georgian governmental organizations create networks with a very limited circle of strong international NGOs located in Georgia (UN, USAID and others) and relatively well developed local NGOs that are considered to be elite by other NGOs. Networking between Georgian governmental and non-governmental organizations is inadequate. The two sectors have different understandings of their respective roles in the process of combating DV: both regard themselves as the most significant actor in the process while perceiving the other as playing a supporting role. There is more cooperation within than between the sectors, although the NGOs consider even this cooperation to be insufficient. As a result, the united efforts of Georgian governmental and non-governmental organizations in combating gender based violence cannot be considered effective (Javakhishvili et al, 2011, Javakhishvili, Tsuladze, 2011). The two considered sources give us different information about the organizations involved in combating DV. Whatever difficulties on the way to cooperate within and between, whatever difficulties in material and human resources, the governmental and non-governmental organizations operate in the country and have certain achievements (Javakhishvili et al, 2011, Javakhishvili, Tsuladze, 2011). 5. The Role of Georgian Orthodox Church in Combating Domestic Violence Georgian media research showed that in there was no TV program or article dedicated to the problem of domestic violence, nothing that would brief 5

6 6 The Role of Social Capital in Combating Domestic Violence us on the involvement of Georgian church in combating domestic violence (Javakhishvili, 2010a). The notion of obedience is an accepted premise in Orthodox religion which is revealed through woman obeying her husband and the latter obeying the God. In this sense, obedience is transformed into an ecclesiastical hierarchy. According to the Archimandrite Michael Gabrichidze: the Paul apostle says that wife must obey her husband, while husband must obey the God. A man who obeys the God would never use violence against his wife, because the God is against any violence and if a husband uses violence against his wife it is not the fault of church. In contrary, this is against the church, the God and the laws of God (Kobalia, 2011). The representatives of organizations working on DV differ in their assessment of the church s attitude towards domestic violence. They all agree that the church doctrines imply dominant position of men in the society; some of them believe that church even supports domestic violence because it teaches women to be obedient to their husbands. While maintaining the belief that the head of the family is a man and wife must obey her husband Georgian church contributes to strengthening existing stereotypes in Georgian society which then becomes the reason for domestic violence in families. Other respondents believe that the attitude of church towards above mentioned issues are misunderstood. The church is first and foremost against any violence (Javakhishvili et al, 2011). Georgian society has a high level of confidence in church. Georgia indicates the extremely high level of trust in religious institutions (83,1%) followed by army (70,9%), banks (50,2%), media (48,4%) and etc. (Charles, 2010). Taking into consideration such confidence, Georgian church can be a strong social capital in respect of combating domestic violence. Nevertheless, the number of women victims who applied to the church for help or to share the problem with a priest is very law (3,2%). This suggests that the involvement of Georgian church in combating domestic violence is insignificant (Chitashvili, Arutinov, 2010). This is also proved by the fact that there is no information, no projects implemented in Georgian reality that could demonstrate the participation of religious institutions in combating DV. The representatives of the Georgian Orthodox Church lack systemic understanding of domestic violence and have limited resources to effectively intervene in DV cases. Churches are considered important team players against DV in the US and they have access to significant amount of educational and referral resources (Franklin, Fong, 2011). Obviously, such readiness to respond to domestic violence comes from recognition and status of the problem in the society and from the legal system. In many states, churches are encouraged to evaluate, report and respond to domestic violence (Weathehrholt, 2008). 6. The Role of Local Community in Combating Domestic Violence

7 Nino Javakhishvili, Maka Lortkipanidze, Ann Petriashvili The media research showed that domestic violence is not discussed publicly (Javakhishvili, 2010a), family abuse is perceived as a private affair and any social interference even the law interference is not acceptable (Javakhishvili, 2010b). This can elaborate on the fact that organizations working on domestic violence often meet with the opposition from the society. An organization s assistance to a victim is negatively viewed by the perpetrator, his family, and even the community. Therefore, to avoid public disapproval, the organization assisting a victim has to request for the central office or the police intervention as they fear they might become targets of the community s aggression (Javakhishvili et al, 2011). The strategy of Blaming the victim is not exclusive to Georgian reality. According to the ecologic and culture of violence theories DV is not an isolated phenomenon and family life largely resembles the processes and views of the entire society (Wolfgang, Ferracuti, 1967). Discussion of domestic violence was a taboo in Georgian society and discussing it outside the family was considered inadmissible, which essentially implies the fear of being criticized, ostracized and mistrusted by society. This is why the majority of women victims lack the desire to reveal family problems to the outsiders. They most frequently choose their close social network - parents (47.5%), friends (31.2%), sister or brother (22.4%) to speak about domestic violence and practically never apply to official institutions for assistance (Chitashvili, Arutinov, 2010). Divorce that could serve as a means of overcoming domestic violence for women victims, on the contrary, appears to be an obstacle due to the fact that it is deeply influenced by traditional views. Georgian women often associate divorce with disaster and the end of the world. The society is rather intolerant towards the returned woman and taking this negative attitude into account, the family of the abused woman often refuses to accept her return. As a consequence, women are expected to tolerate violence in order to protect the reputation of the family (Tsuladze, 2010). The representatives of governmental and non-governmental organizations evaluate divorce as an extremely negative phenomenon, a tragedy that is caused by unbearable conditions. (Javakhishvili et al, 2011, Javakhishvili, Tsuladze, 2011). Thus being tolerant to DV, Georgian society poses obstacles in the way of combating domestic violence. In societies with such limited resources and high tolerance to domestic violence, it is almost inevitable that the victims develop the syndrome of learned helplessness (Walker, 1984) which diminishes their willingness and courage to reach out for help. 7. Conclusion The research findings demonstrate that Georgian church, local community and mass media are not involved in combating the problem of domestic violence. Their position and activities reinforce and support the traditional views about family, 7

8 8 The Role of Social Capital in Combating Domestic Violence gender roles, understanding of domestic violence, and intervention strategies for the DV cases. These actors fail to see domestic violence as a social problem, largely minimize its magnitude and detrimental impact on public, perceive it as a private matter and prefer not to react to it. The professional network, that is governmental and non-governmental organizations, is not strong enough to face such a serious issue. The data of our study show that these organizations lack human and material resources, cooperation among them is quite limited in terms of the content (the issues it covers) and the scope (the organizations being involved). The representatives of Georgian governmental and non-governmental organizations are largely under the influence of traditional perspective. These findings of our study can be explained in the frames of two theoretical approaches: gender equality theories and social capital theory. Minimization and denial of the domestic violence problem is a common strategy among the victims and witnesses as well as the perpetrators and general society (McCue, 2008). For victims minimization and denial is largely determined by the feelings of loyalty, shame and fear for their life, or lives of other family members. Perpetrators minimize the impact of their violent behavior classifying it as necessary or orderly, while society, including other family members, often refrains from defining the matter as violence power-control balance is still on the side of stronger perpetrators usually men. This understanding prevails in local community, mass media and the church. Feminist perspective theories of domestic violence (Yllo, 1993) clearly state that domestic violence is the part of overall societal power and control structure where society is not ready to assume power on the side of traditionally inferior female. Lack or inefficiency of united efforts of different institutions Georgian church, mass media, local community and organizations in combating domestic violence can be explained by the unequal development of bridging and bonding social capital in Georgia. Because of the persistence of family and friendship networks women victims prefer to share the violent experiences within their close social network rather than seek help with official institutions, organizations, church. Different sources used in our research do not give any information about interagency cooperation between the actors Georgian church, local community, mass media and organizations in combating domestic violence. Thereby, the law level of bridging social capital and strong bonding social capital in Georgia has a significant effect on the quality of combating domestic violence. Our study found that almost no agencies combat domestic violence in Georgia. The existing ones are scarce and weak, respectively, the policies and practices to combat domestic violence are inadequate. In order to explain this situation we brought into two different theories that, add to each other and fit well into the overall picture: gender theories mean that there is lack of gender equality

9 Nino Javakhishvili, Maka Lortkipanidze, Ann Petriashvili understanding in the society and respectively, in all its institutions; while the social capital theories claim that there can be no united effort and cooperation in countries where bridging social capital is weak. These findings can be extrapolated to all countries with strong masculine and bonding social capital traditions. Bibliography Aladashvili, Irma, and Chkheidze, Ketevan. Monitoring of Implementation of the Action Plan on Elimination of Domestic Violence and Protection and Support to its Victims. Tblisi, Baker, Chris. Social, Religious and Spiritual Capitals: A Psychological Perspective' in International Handbook of Education for Spirituality, Care and Wellbeing, edited by Marian de Souza, Leslie J. Francis, James O'Higgins-Norman, Daniel Scott, London and New York: Springer, Berns, Nancy. Framing the victim: Domestic Violence, Media, and Social Problems. New Brunswick, New Jersey, Caucasus Research Resource Centers CRRC. An Assessment of Social Capital in Georgia Charles, Robia. Religiosity and Trust in Religious Institutions: tales from the South Caucasus (Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia). In Politics and Religion, edited by Paul A. Djupe and Angelia R. Wilson, Cambridge Journals, Chitashvili, Marina, and Arutinov, Luiza. Coping with Domestic Violence Against Women. In National Research on Domestic Violence against Women in Georgia, edited by Marina Chitashvili, Nino Javakhishvili, Luiza Arutinov, Lia Tsuladze and Sopho Chachanidze, Tbilisi: UNFPA, Dobash, Rebecca E., and Dobash, Russell P. Women, Violence and Social Change. London and New York: Routledge, Franklin, Cynthia, and Fong, Rowena. Counseling approaches for domestic violence, child abuse and severe personality disorders. In The Church Leader s Counseling Resource Book, edited by Cynthia Franklin and Rowena Fong, Oxford University Press, Håkansson, Peter. The Need for a Micro Model of Social Capital. Working paper presented at Brown Bag Seminar, Lund University, al%20capital_maj.pdf 9

10 10 The Role of Social Capital in Combating Domestic Violence Javakhishvili, Nino. Media Representation of Combating Domestic Violence in Georgia. Tbilisi 2010a. (in Georgian). Javakhishvili, Nino. Prevalence of Domestic Violence in Georgia. In National Research on Domestic Violence against Women in Georgia, edited by Marina Chitashvili, Nino Javakhishvili, Luiza Arutinov, Lia Tsuladze and Sopho Chachanidze, Tbilisi: UNFPA, 2010b. Javakhishvili, Nino and others. Interagency United Efforts to Combat Domestic Violence in Georgia: Local or International Agenda? Report. Tbilisi, Javakhishvili, Nino, and Tsuladze, Lia. Implementing Domestic Violence Policy in Georgia: Impediments and their causes. Paper presented at the 6th ECPR General Conference, Reykjavik, Johnson, Janet E. Gender Violence in Russia: the politic of feminist intervention. Indiana University Press, Johnson, Janet E., and Brunell, Laura. The Emergence of Contrasting Domestic Violence Regimes in Post-Communist Europe. In Policy and Politics, edited by Tony Fitzpatrick and Geetanjali Gangoli, Policy Press, Kaze, Helbe, and Pettai, Iris. Domestic violence and violence against Women by Survey results of Medical Personnel. Tbilisi, 2008a. Kaze, Helbe, and Pettai, Iris. Domestic violence and violence against Women by Survey results of Police. Tbilisi, 2008b. Kobalia Mariam. The Representation of Women in Orthodox Church in Georgia, Master s Theses. Tbilisi State University, Tbilisi, (in Georgian). McCue, Margi L. Domestic Violence: A Reference Handbook. 2: 31-33, 3: ABC-CLIO, Inc., Paymar, Michael, and Martinson, Rhonda. Definition of Duluts Model Putnam, Robert David. Tuning In, Tuning Out:The Strange Disappearence of Social Capital in America. In Political Science and Politics, edited by Robert J-P. Hauck, American Political Science Association, Roggeband, Connie. Immediately I Thought We Should Do the Same Thing: International Inspiration and Exchange in Feminist Action against Sexual Violence. In European Journal of Women s Studies, edited by Kathy Davis and Gail Lewis, SAGE Publications, 2004.

11 Nino Javakhishvili, Maka Lortkipanidze, Ann Petriashvili Stanko, Elizabeth A. The day to count: Reflections on a methodology to raise Awareness about the impact of Domestic Violence in the UK. In Criminology and Criminal Justice, edited by Adam Crawford, SAGE and the British Society of Criminology, Thomas, Cheryl and others. Domestic Violence and Child Abuse in Georgia: An Assessment of Current Standings of Law and Practice Regarding Domestic Violence and Child Abuse in Georgia, and Recommendations for Future. Tbilisi, Tsuladze, Lia. Behind the Scenes: Qualitative Research Results. In National Research on Domestic Violence against Women in Georgia, edited by Marina Chitashvili, Nino Javakhishvili, Luiza Arutinov, Lia Tsuladze and Sopho Chachanidze, Tbilisi: UNFPA, Walker, Lenore E. A. The Battered Women Syndrome. New York: Springer Publishing Company, Weathehrholt, Anne O. The Church Responds to Domestic Violence. New York: Morehouse Publishing, Weldon, Lorette S. The Dimensions and Policy Impact of Feminist Civil Society: Democratic Policymaking on Violence Against Women in The fifty US States. In International Feminist Journal of Politics, edited by Heidi Hudson, Laura Sjoberg and Cynthia Weber, Routledge, Wolfgang, Marvin E., and Ferracuti, Franco. The Subculture of Violence: Towards and Integrated Theory in Criminology. London: Tavistock Publications, Yllo, Kersti A. Through a feminist lens: Gender, power, and violence. In Current controversies on family violence, edited by Richard J. Gelles and Donileen R. Loseke, Sage Publications, Inc., Zmerli, Sonja, and Newton, Kenneth. Networking among voluntary associations: segmented or integrated? In Social Capital and Associations in European Democracies: A Comparative Analysis, edited by Maloney, William A. and Rossteutscher, Sigrid, London: Routledge, Nino Javakhishvili is a psychology professor and director of the Institute of Psychology at Ilia State University, Tbilisi, Georgia. She is involved in number of research projects, including interdisciplinary field of gender studies, domestic violence particularly. Maka Lortkipanidze is a PhD student at Ilia State University, Tbilisi, Georgia. Her PhD thesis is dedicated to study of domestic violence. 11

12 12 The Role of Social Capital in Combating Domestic Violence Ann Petriashvili is a PhD Student at Ilia State University. Ms. Petriashvili possesses an MSW from Columbia University. Her main focus has been domestic violence related policies and she has experience in direct practice, counseling the victims of domestic violence at the District Attorney's Office in Brooklyn.