Man fined for sexually harassing woman in Kutaisi, shortly after adoption of new regulations

A man in Georgia’s western town of Kutaisi has been fined after sexually harassing a woman.

The woman said that the man asked her to have sex in what she thought was an abusive and inappropriate manner.

The woman addressed a local police department shortly after the incident which helped law enforcers identify the man in a timely manner.

The man, who was unknown to the woman, was fined 300 GEL (112 USD),” the Ministry of Internal Affairs says.

Last month the Georgian parliament adopted amendments which added a definition of sexual harassment to the Labour Code.

Undesirable sexual behavior towards an individual, insulting someone’s dignity or creating an abusive or hostile environment is now punishable by law.

Using words of a sexual nature, showing one’s genitals, any type of verbal or non-verbal actions of a sexual nature are considered sexual harassment.

Sexual harassment is punishable by a 300 GEL ($112) fine and 500 GEL ($187) if repeated. The offence is also punishable with up to one-month community labour.

Deliberate sexual harassment of a minor, a pregnant woman or someone in a critical condition or in the presence of a minor is punishable by 500-800 GEL ($187-$299), and if repeated, by a 800-1,000 GEL ($299-$374) fine or 10-day imprisonment.