{"id":372735,"date":"2016-03-31T21:35:02","date_gmt":"2016-04-01T02:35:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/georgia-law\/georgia-domestic-violence-laws.html"},"modified":"2025-05-16T14:05:55","modified_gmt":"2025-05-16T19:05:55","slug":"georgia-domestic-violence-laws","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/georgia-law\/georgia-domestic-violence-laws.html","title":{"rendered":"Georgia Domestic Violence Laws"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Georgia Domestic Violence Laws<\/h1>\n
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\n By Kit Yona, M.A.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by John Mascolo, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last reviewed\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

In Georgia, domestic violence is commonly called family violence. It includes abusive acts committed between family and household members. The Georgia General Assembly has acknowledged that family violence takes its toll<\/a> in many ways, including emotional and physical abuse, serious injuries, and deaths.<\/p>\n

Georgia has laws and programs in place to help family violence victims and punish their abusers. These are part of the Georgia Family Violence Act.<\/p>\n

This article will help explain Georgia’s efforts to combat family violence. We’ll explain Georgia’s definition of domestic violence<\/a>, discuss options available for victims, and prepare you for navigating Georgia’s legal system.<\/p>\n

Georgia Domestic Violence Laws<\/h2>\n

To many, police and criminal law<\/a> offer a first defense against domestic violence. During a family violence incident, police and other first responders can separate the victim and the offender and provide needed help. Police can arrest an offender. Prosecutors can work to hold the offender accountable for breaking the law.<\/p>\n

Although Georgia does not have a stand-alone domestic violence crime, it gives significant sentencing enhancements when family violence is the basis of a specific crime. Victim advocates<\/a> can help family violence survivors keep track of a criminal case and give input into the case and any proposed resolution. A criminal court can issue a protective or no-contact order during a criminal case.<\/p>\n

As in other states, Georgia also offers relief for family violence victims through the civil protection order<\/a> process. This separate avenue for stopping contact and providing safety does not require the filing of a criminal case.<\/p>\n

To qualify as family violence in Georgia, an abusive act must happen between parties that have a close personal relationship<\/a>. If the act does not happen in a family relationship, it will not be domestic or family violence. Let’s look at each part.<\/p>\n

Family Violence in Georgia: Family Members and Household Members<\/h3>\n

Nobody wants to suffer abuse. Having it come from someone you love or trust makes it worse.<\/p>\n

In actions for civil protection orders, the people involved in family violence must share a close personal relationship. This includes family members. Relationships and people eligible for family violence classification<\/a> include:<\/p>\n