Domestic Violence

Domestic violence is a pattern of intimidation and abuse that is used by one partner to establish and maintain control over the other partner. The abuse can be physical, verbal, emotional, sexual, and financial. While it can take different forms, the abuse may become more frequent and intense over time.  Domestic Violence hurts everyone. It crosses all boundaries of age, race, ethnicity, religion, economic background, physical ability and sexual orientation. It can occur in any type of relationship, including past and present spouses, parents of the same child, parents and children, step-parents and step-children, foster parents and foster children, or others living in the same home. The damage to body and self esteem inflicted by domestic violence has been linked to homelessness, suicide, crime, teen pregnancy, premature births, and miscarriages.

The Solicitor-General’s prosecutors and victim advocates keep in close contact with victims through all phases of the prosecution and provide information, resources, and critical support.  Working with other law enforcement agencies and community organizations, it is our goal to:

• Increase victim safety
• Stop the violence
• Diligently prosecute Domestic Violence crimes, and
• Hold abusers accountable.

How to recognize abuse:

Does your partner:

• Call you names or use other insults?
• Destroy or damage your property?
• Threaten to harm you or others, including pets?
• Insist on controlling family finances?
• Criticize your abilities as a parent, threaten to take the children away?
• Become jealous of your friends and the time you spend with them?
• Control how often you and where you interact with friends and family?
• Hit, shove, kick, grab or use other forms of physical violence toward you?
• Make unwanted advances or force you to perform sexual acts?
• Threaten to commit suicide if you leave?

If so, you may be experiencing abuse.

General safety tips regarding harassment and stalkers:

• Talk with a trained professional, keep a diary of every contact with the individual, file incident reports with the police so you can show a pattern of activity, vary your routine and route, consider letting your employer know so that security measures can be taken.  Also, let your childcare provider know.
• Most importantly, trust your instinct.
• Talk with trained advocate who can develop a safety plan with you that are particular to your circumstances. See ‘Where to Go for Help’
• These are general tips. A trained advocate can help you develop a safety plan related to your circumstances.

Download a PDF of Fact Sheets offering advice about how to protect yourself if you decide to stay with or if you decide to leave the alleged abuser.

Where to Go for Help:

If you feel your life is in immediate danger, dial 911.

National Resources:

U.S. National Domestic Violence Hotline:  1-800-799-7233 or TTY at 1-800-787-3224; www.thehotline.org
24-hour support through advocacy, safety planning, resources for those affected by domestic violence

U.S. National Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-656-4673; www.rainn.org
Hotline, confidential services and public awareness about preventing sexual violence, improving services to victims

U.S. National Teen Dating Violence Helpline: 1-866-331-9474 or TTY at 1-866-331-8455; www.loveisrespect.org

Additional Resources in the Metro-Atlanta Area:  

Georgia Domestic Violence Hotline:
1 800 33 HAVEN (1 800 334 2836)

Women’s Resource Center to End Domestic Violence:
404 688 9436; www.wrcdv.org
Provides emergency shelter and services.

DeKalb County Rape Crisis Center: Crisis Hotline:
404 377 1428; Office: 404 377 1429;  www.dekalbrapecrisiscenter.org 
Provides comprehensive services for survivors of sexual assault including 24-hour hotline, hospital accompaniment, counseling, legal counseling and prevention education.

International Women’s House: 404 299 1550; www.internationalwomenshouse.org
Serves primarily immigrant and refugee women and children who have survived domestic violence.

DeKalb County Solicitor-General:
solicitorinfo@dekalbcountyga.gov or call (404) 371-2201.
Investigates and prosecutes domestic violence crimes, stalking, sexual battery (inappropriate touching), and crimes involving victims who are children under the age of 17. Special unit for victims.

Ahimsa House:
404.452.6248; www.ahimsahouse.org
Safe shelter for pets of survivors who are fleeing abuse.

Atlanta Legal Aid Society: 
404.377.0701; www.atlantalegalaid.org
Referrals and free civil legal representation to victims of domestic violence.

Georgia Coalition Against Domestic Violence: 
www.gcadv.org.  To find a domestic violence shelter/advocacy center in Georgia, call: 1-800-33-HAVEN.

Georgia Network to End Sexual Assault: 
www.gnesa.org.  To find a rape crisis center near you in Georgia, call 1-800-656-HOPE.

Tapestri:
404-299-2185; www.tapestri.org
Direct services and advocacy for survivors of human trafficking and domestic violence, focusing on the refugee and immigrant communities.

United 4 Safety:
404-200-5957; www.united4safety.org
Helpline for survivors of intimate partner violence in the LGBTQQI community.

Download a brochure about Domestic Violence.