New bill to make sexual harassment punishable offence in Georgia

Ruling Georgian Dream party MPs have drafted a bill which makes sexual harassment a punishable offence.

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

Creating an abusive or hostile environment at work to force someone into a sexual relationship will also be punishable as sexual harassment.

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

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

Six Georgian Dream MPs have drafted the bill, Vice Parliament Speaker Tamar Chugoshvili among them.