Sexual Assault Attorneys in Georgia: Your Complete Legal Guide
If you or someone you love has survived sexual assault in Georgia, this guide explains your legal rights, Georgia’s key laws protecting survivors, and profiles five law firms that represent survivors in civil claims across the state.
Introduction
Georgia uses a relatively restrictive civil statute of limitations compared to many other states, making it critical for survivors to consult an attorney without delay. The state’s Hidden Predator Act (2015) expanded the window for childhood sexual abuse claims and introduced a discovery rule, but did not eliminate the deadline entirely. For adult survivors, the window is just 2 years. For those abused as minors, the deadline is age 23, with a discovery exception for abuse occurring after July 1, 2015. Georgia law allows survivors to sue both their individual perpetrator and, under certain conditions, institutions whose negligence enabled the abuse. Understanding the specific rules that apply to your case requires consultation with a Georgia attorney as early as possible.
Georgia Sexual Assault Laws
Definitions and Criminal Offenses
Georgia’s sexual offense statutes are codified in Title 16, Chapter 6 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated (O.C.G.A.).
Rape (O.C.G.A. § 16-6-1) is defined as carnal knowledge of a female forcibly and against her will, or carnal knowledge of a female who is under 10 years of age. Rape is a felony punishable by imprisonment for a minimum of 25 years to life, with no possibility of parole for persons convicted of rape of a child under 12.
Aggravated Sodomy (§ 16-6-2) involves sodomy with force against the will of the other person, or with a person under 10. It is punishable by 25 years to life.
Statutory Rape (§ 16-6-3) covers sexual intercourse with a person under 16. It is a felony punishable by 1 to 20 years, or 10 to 20 years if the defendant is 21 or older at the time of the offense.
Child Molestation (§ 16-6-4) covers any immoral or indecent act to, in the presence of, or with a child under 16 for the purpose of arousing or satisfying sexual desires of either person. Aggravated child molestation, which involves physical injury or acts of sodomy, carries 25 years to life. Simple child molestation carries 5 to 20 years.
Sexual Battery (§ 16-6-22.1) covers intentional physical contact with the intimate parts of another person without consent. Aggravated sexual battery (§ 16-6-22.2) involves the penetration of a person’s sexual organ or anus with a foreign object, forcibly and against the will.
Georgia’s age of consent is 16.
Statutes of Limitations
Criminal SOL
Georgia’s criminal SOL for sexual offenses is codified at O.C.G.A. § 17-3-1. For felonies generally, the SOL is 4 years. However, specific sexual offenses have different rules.
Rape: 15 years from the date of the offense.
Sexual offenses against children under 16 (including trafficking for sexual servitude, child molestation, aggravated child molestation, enticing a child, and incest): No SOL if the offense was charged as a felony and committed after July 1, 2012, per O.C.G.A. § 17-3-2.1. For offenses between July 1, 1992, and June 30, 2012, the SOL is 7 years and does not begin until the complainant reaches 16 or the offense is reported.
DNA exception: Where DNA evidence establishes the identity of the accused, there is no SOL for aggravated child molestation, aggravated sodomy, aggravated sexual battery, and rape, per O.C.G.A. § 17-3-2.1.
Civil SOL
Georgia’s civil SOL for sexual abuse is primarily governed by O.C.G.A. § 9-3-33 (general personal injury) and § 9-3-33.1 (childhood sexual abuse).
Adult survivors (18 or older at the time of the assault): 2 years from the date of the assault, with no discovery rule or exception under O.C.G.A. § 9-3-33. This is one of the shortest civil windows in the country. Survivors must act promptly.
Childhood sexual abuse (victim under 18 at time of abuse): The Hidden Predator Act (O.C.G.A. § 9-3-33.1) governs these claims.
For abuse occurring before July 1, 2015: The claim must be filed on or before the plaintiff’s 23rd birthday. The retroactive window (July 1, 2015 to June 30, 2017) that briefly revived time-barred claims against individual abusers is now permanently closed.
For abuse occurring on or after July 1, 2015: The claim must be filed on or before the plaintiff’s 23rd birthday OR within 2 years from the date the plaintiff knew or had reason to know of the abuse and that it resulted in injury (discovery rule), whichever is later. The discovery rule requires medical or psychological evidence establishing when discovery occurred.
Institutional liability note: When suing an entity (school, church, organization) under the discovery rule extension (not the age-23 standard deadline), Georgia requires proof of gross negligence by a preponderance of the evidence, including that the entity knew or should have known of the abuse and failed to take remedial action. When filing within the standard age-23 window, only ordinary negligence is required.
Important caution: Georgia’s civil SOL is among the most restrictive in the country for adult survivors. Survivors of adult sexual assault who have not filed within 2 years may have no civil recourse absent extraordinary circumstances. An attorney should be consulted immediately.
Top 5 Sexual Assault Attorneys in Georgia
1. Gautreaux Law, LLC | Macon, GA
Phone: 478.238.9758
Website: gautreauxlawfirm.com/sexual-abuse/
Address: 778 Mulberry Street, Macon, GA 31201
Attorneys: Jarome Gautreaux, David Cooke
Gautreaux Law is a Macon, Georgia personal injury firm with a strong focus on representing victims of sexual abuse, offering compassionate, confidential, and determined legal support to individuals who have experienced deeply traumatic harm. The firm understands the profound physical, emotional, and psychological impact that sexual abuse can have on survivors and is committed to helping them pursue justice through civil action, regardless of whether criminal charges are filed. By guiding clients through every stage of the legal process, protecting their privacy, and advocating for full and fair compensation for medical expenses, counseling, lost income, pain and suffering, and other damages, Gautreaux Law provides not only experienced legal representation but also a supportive environment where survivors can feel heard, respected, and empowered to move forward.
2. Gary Martin Hays & Associates, P.C.
Phone: 1-800-898-HAYS (1-800-898-4297)
Website: https://www.garymartinhays.com
Offices: Duluth, Atlanta, College Park, Lithonia, Marietta, Gainesville, Conyers, Jonesboro (8 locations)
Lead Attorney: Gary Martin Hays
Gary Martin Hays & Associates is a large multi-office Georgia plaintiff firm with significant experience in rape and sexual assault civil claims, particularly in cases involving inadequate or negligent security. Founding attorney Gary Martin Hays authored the #1 bestselling book on inadequate security claims in Georgia. The firm pursues claims against property owners, landlords, and businesses whose failure to provide adequate security enabled the assault. 8 office locations across the Atlanta metro area. Free, confidential consultations; contingency basis. Bilingual services available in Spanish.
3. Piasta Walker Hagenbush, LLC
Phone: (404) 996-1296
Website: https://www.piastawalker.com
Address: Atlanta, GA (also serves Marietta, Smyrna, Kennesaw)
Lead Attorneys: Members of Piasta Walker Hagenbush team
Piasta Walker Hagenbush is an Atlanta personal injury firm with a dedicated sexual assault practice. The firm pursues civil claims against both the individual perpetrator and institutions — including churches, schools, government agencies, law enforcement, hospitals, and mental health providers — where sexual assault occurred under their supervision or authority. The firm notes that survivors in Georgia generally have 2 years to file from the date of the assault and have handled cases involving coaches, caregivers, doctors, and mental health providers. Free, confidential consultations; contingency basis.
4. Tate Law Group, LLC
Phone: (912) 234-3030
Website: https://www.tatelawgroup.com
Address: Savannah, GA
Practice: Personal injury, sexual abuse victims, clergy sex abuse, sexual assault by authority figures
Tate Law Group is an award-winning Savannah plaintiff firm with a sexual abuse practice covering sexual assault by coaches, teachers, clergy, doctors, and other authority figures. The firm has recovered over $100 million for clients and holds memberships in the Million Dollar Advocates Forum. Tate Law Group has a particular focus on institutional claims including clergy abuse, Boy Scouts abuse, and abuse by youth sports organizations. The firm has pursued claims related to the USA Gymnastics/Larry Nassar scandal. National reputation with Georgia roots. Free consultations. Contingency fee basis.
5. Buckley Bala Wilson Mew LLP
Phone: (404) 781-1100
Website: https://www.bbwmlaw.com
Address: 201 17th Street NW, Suite 630, Atlanta, GA
Practice: Employment law, civil rights, sexual assault (especially workplace sexual assault)
Buckley Bala Wilson Mew is an Atlanta civil rights and employment litigation firm representing survivors of workplace sexual assault throughout Georgia. The firm pursues civil claims where employers knew or should have known about sexual assault or harassment and failed to take action, and also handles claims involving assault by supervisors, coworkers, or others where institutional negligence played a role. The firm serves clients statewide including Athens, Augusta, Columbus, Gainesville, Macon, Marietta, and Savannah. Phone and video consultations available. Free case evaluation.
Frequently Asked Questions
I was assaulted as an adult more than 2 years ago. Is it too late to file in Georgia?
Possibly. Georgia’s civil SOL for adult assault is 2 years, and there is no general discovery rule for adults. If you missed this window, consult an attorney immediately — there may be narrow exceptions depending on your specific circumstances, such as fraud, concealment, or incapacity, but these are limited. Acting quickly is critical.
I was abused as a child. How long do I have to file?
If the abuse occurred before July 1, 2015, you must file before your 23rd birthday against the individual abuser. If the abuse occurred on or after July 1, 2015, you have until your 23rd birthday or within 2 years of discovering the connection between the abuse and your injuries, whichever is later.
Can I sue the institution (church, school, employer)?
For childhood sexual abuse, yes, under certain conditions. If you file within the standard age-23 deadline, ordinary negligence applies. If you file under the discovery rule after age 23, gross negligence is required, meaning the institution must have known or should have known of the abuse and failed to act. For adult workplace sexual assault, Georgia employment law may provide additional avenues including EEOC claims.
Closing
Georgia’s short civil deadline — especially for adult survivors — makes immediate consultation with an attorney essential. The firms listed above offer free, confidential consultations and handle cases on a contingency fee basis.
For immediate crisis support, contact the RAINN National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-4673, available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Georgia’s statewide hotline is operated by the Georgia Network to End Sexual Assault (GNESA) at 1-866-ENDRAPE (1-866-363-7273).