Domestic violence in Georgia is treated severely; its laws are strict and aim to provide complete protection for victims and fair sanctions for wrongdoers.
In Georgia, the rates of domestic violence cases are very high; it is estimated that 1 in 4 women and 1 in 7 men are or have been victims of domestic violence.
It is an issue that affects everyone, and the fact that these types of acts occur behind closed doors makes detection much more difficult.
In this blog, we want to inform you about everything related to domestic violence in Georgia: what it is, what legal consequences it has, and what protection mechanisms exist for victims.
What is domestic violence in Georgia?
Domestic violence is considered any act of aggression, whether physical, verbal, sexual, or psychological, by one person against another within their family circle. The most common example is the aggression one person may commit against their partner.
However, under the law of Georgia, domestic violence can also include aggression committed against:
- Biological or adopted children
- Ex-partner
- Adoptive parents
- People who previously lived in the home
- Close relatives
- Grandparents
- Siblings
What is considered domestic violence?
As mentioned earlier, any act of aggression, whether physical, verbal, sexual, or psychological, committed against another person is considered domestic violence and can be punished accordingly.
Economic aggression, such as humiliation or economic threats, is also considered violence.
However, the state of Georgia recognizes and protects the right of a parent over the upbringing of their children.
In this case, “reasonable discipline” refers to all corrective actions, such as restrictions, prohibitions, or scolding, that parents impose on their children with the aim of improving their discipline.
These actions must be imposed within reasonable limits and should not exceed the boundaries of abuse, as they would then be considered domestic violence in Georgia.
Georgia Domestic Violence Law
Due to the increase in cases, the state of Georgia designed the Domestic Violence Law, which aims to protect victims and provide appropriate sanctions for perpetrators.
For victims, the law offers protection mechanisms such as restraining orders aimed at safeguarding their well-being and their loved ones’.
For perpetrators, the legal consequences of being accused and found guilty of domestic violence charges in Georgia can range from fines to imprisonment and even criminal charges.
We will discuss these two cases below.
Protection for Victims of Domestic Violence
As mentioned earlier, protection orders aim to safeguard victims by requiring the perpetrator to physically stay away from the victim.
This order may require the perpetrator to stop living with the victim immediately, or if they refuse to leave the house, they must provide accommodation for the victim and cover all corresponding housing expenses.
Additionally, this order states that the perpetrator cannot approach or contact the victim by any means; doing so could result in detention and criminal charges.
Finally, restraining orders are also a mechanism to obtain child custody, secure child support, and even spousal support, as well as to establish or limit the perpetrator’s visitation rights.
Sanctions for Domestic Violence in Georgia
Being accused of domestic violence is very serious, and its short- and long-term impacts are significant.
If found guilty of these charges, the law can impose fines starting at $1,000 and prison time ranging from 5 to 10 years, depending on the severity of the act committed.
It may also be ordered that perpetrators attend state-run anger management programs and perform community service as part of the penalty imposed for the charges.
In the long term, being accused of this type of charge affects many aspects of life. You will have a criminal record, which can limit your opportunities to find a job or apply for credit, as these processes involve a thorough background check. It can also limit your rights, such as firearm ownership.
Finally, as mentioned in restraining orders, a conviction for domestic violence in Georgia can affect your right as a parent to custody and visitation rights.
In conclusion
Domestic violence in Georgia is very serious; every day, efforts are made to protect victims of these abuses and provide them with a better quality of life.
It is important not to stay silent and to seek the help of family lawyers who are experts in this type of case.
At The Law Office Of Caroline Pineres we always seek to protect the rights of our clients. If you are a victim of family violence and need solid and aggressive legal representation, call us at our numbers 1-770-956-9961 | 1-404-920-4746 and we will start working on your case.
