If you or your loved one are in immediate danger, please call 911.

The following hotlines also provide assistance 24 hours per day:

Fulton Domestic Violence Crisis Line – 404-873-1766

Gwinnett Domestic Violence Crisis line – 770-963-9799

Statewide Hotline – 1-800-334-2836

Are You a Victim of Domestic Violence?

If you answer “yes" to any of the following, you may be living in an abusive relationship.  Are you:

• Threatened or physically abused by your partner?
• Afraid of your partner’s temper?
• Afraid to disagree with your partner?
• Apologizing to others for your partner’s behavior?
• Frightened by your partner’s violence towards others, including cruelty to animals?
• Afraid to say “no” when you partner wants sex?
• Being forced to explain your own actions and relationships to others?
• Being wrongly and/or repeatedly accused by your partner of flirting or having sex with others?
• Needing your partner’s permission to do things, such as see friends, get a job, wear certain clothes?
• Feeling ashamed of the relationship?
• Afraid to tell your family and friends?

Know that . . .

• Domestic violence is not your fault.
• You are not responsible for your partners behavior.
• Violence will increase the longer you stay.
• No one deserves to be abused.
• You have the right to live without fear and violence.
• No matter how sincerely your batterer says “I’m sorry,” the abuse will happen again.
• If you leave without making a safety plan, you may be putting yourself at risk.

Safety Planning

The most important part of any domestic violence counseling is safety planning, the following are just a few recommendations to help keep you safe:

If you are still in the relationship: 

• Think of a safe place to go if an argument occurs-avoid rooms with no exit (bathrooms), or rooms with weapons (kitchen)
• Think about and make a list of safe people to call
• Keep money with you at all times and put cash away in a safe place for emergencies
• Memorize important telephone numbers
• Gather important papers and an extra set of keys and place them in a safe place outside the home.
• Keep a bag packed with clothes for you and your children and keep it where it will not be found
• Back your car into the driveway; keep it fueled; keep the driver's door unlocked, if possible, for quick escapes.
• Document your abuse; take pictures of your injuries, and get copies of all police reports
• Teach your children how to get help and give them a code word to use when help is needed
• Decide where you will go if you need to leave. Call Partnership Against Domestic Violence's 24-hour Crisis Line at (404) 873-1766 or (770) 963-9799, for emergency shelter.

If you have left the relationship:

• Change your phone number and screen all calls
• Change your locks
• Avoid staying at home and going places alone
• Vary your routine
• Document any and all contact from your former partner and plan how to get away if confronted by him/her
• Notify school, work, and child care contacts that your former partner should not be near you or your children.
What is a Temporary Protective Order?
A “TPO” is a civil order that may be issued when family violence or stalking has occurred.  It can:
• Prohibit the abuser from doing certain things (like contacting you, coming within 200 feet of you, going to your home or workplace).
• Require the abuser to do certain things that are needed to keep you and your children safe (like moving out of the residence,  paying temporary support, or providing an alternative place for you and your children). 
• Award temporary custody and visitation. 
• Require the abuser to reimburse you for any expenses you have had related to the abuse (like medical bills, lost wages, damage to your property). 
• Require the abuser to attend domestic violence counseling, get substance abuse treatment, and/or psychiatric treatment.

What Do I Need to File a TPO?  

• A valid driver’s license or I.D.
• The address where the abuser can be served with a copy of the legal papers. 
• There is no cost for filing.

Who Can File for a TPO?  

• You must be 18 years old. 
• If you are a minor, any adult may apply on your behalf.
• You must be a victim of family violence or stalking.

Where Should You File? 

• If the abuser is a Georgia resident, you must apply in the Superior Court of the county where the abuser resides.
• If the abuser lives in a different state, you may apply in the Superior Court of the county where you reside or where the incident took place.
• If you are filing in Fulton County, you can go to the One Stop Office, located on the 8th Floor of the Fulton County Courthouse.  Assistance with completing the paperwork is then available in the Safe Families Office on the 6th floor where representatives from Atlanta Volunteer Lawyers Foundation and Partnership Against Domestic Violence are available to help with the first stage of the process called the ex parte hearing. 
• If you are filing in Fulton County, ex parte hearings occur every day at 11:00, 1:00, and 3:00.  You must arrive at least 1 hour in advance to do the paperwork.

What is the TPO Process?  

• You will complete paperwork which explains why you need a TPO. The abuser must be served with a copy of this paperwork. 
• You will then see a judge who will consider giving you an emergency TPO. This is called an ex parte TPO, and it only lasts up to 30 days. 
• You will be given a date to return to court for a more detailed hearing.  The abuser has a right to attend and present their side.  At this second hearing, you must show that the ex parte TPO should be extended for 12 months. It is important to bring all evidence and witnesses to the second  hearing.

Important Phones Numbers:

Law Enforcement Agencies – Fulton County
For Emergencies…...……………..…………………………………………………….911
Sheriff’s Office…………………………………………………………………............(404) 730-5100
Sheriff’s Civil Service…..............................................................(404) 224-3683
Warrant Office….………………………………………………………………………...(404) 730-4752
Marshal’s Office….……................................................................(404) 730-4451

Shelters/Hotlines/Safety Planning
Georgia Hotline…..…...………………………………………………………………...1-800-33-HAVEN
Partnership Against Domestic Violence (Fulton and Gwinnett)..(404) 873-1766

Women’s Resource Center
(DeKalb County)..………………………………………………………………………...(404) 688-9436
Securus House
(Clayton County)……..…………………………………………………………………..(770) 961-7233

Victim Witness Assistance (VAWP)
VWAP of the Fulton County Solicitor-Generals’ Office……............(404) 730-6883
VWAP of the Fulton County District Attorney’s Office….…..………..(404) 730-4986

Safe Families Office (AVLF/PADV)…………………………………………….....(404) 730-4316

Other Legal Assistance
Fulton County Family Law Information Center…………………..........(404) 335-2789
Atlanta Legal Aid Society……………………………………………………….......(404) 524-5811
Georgia Legal Services…………………………………………………………….....(404) 656-1776