What legal recourse can victims of domestic abuse pursue?

In Georgia, victims of domestic abuse have a number of legal recourses available to them. One legal remedy is to seek a restraining order, also known as a “protective order.” This order is issued by a judge and sometimes requires the abuser to leave the home and stay away from the victim for a specified period of time. It may also award custody of children to the victim, require the abuser to attend anger management or counseling sessions, and/or forbid contact with the victim. Victims of domestic abuse can also file criminal charges against their abuser. Depending on the severity of the abuse, the abuser can be charged with various crimes, such as assault, battery, stalking, and/or kidnapping. Georgia also has specific laws for victims of domestic abuse—many of which provide for increased penalties for abusers, such as greater jail sentences or larger fines. Victims of domestic abuse may also petition the court for a “divorce from bed and board.” This is a separate order from a divorce, in which the court orders the abuser to stop harassing or threatening the victim and/or to move out of the home. Finally, victims of domestic abuse may file suit against their abuser, seeking both compensatory and punitive damages. These damages may be awarded to the victim to compensate them for losses suffered as a result of the abuse, or to punish the abuser for their actions. In general, victims of domestic abuse in Georgia have a number of legal recourses available to them, including restraining orders, criminal charges, a divorce from bed and board, and filing a civil suit. These options provide victims with the legal protection and financial compensation they need to start a new life free from abuse.

What legal recourse can victims of domestic abuse pursue?

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