Sexual Assault Attorneys in Georgia: Your Complete Legal Guide

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Georgia’s main deadline for a childhood sexual abuse lawsuit is the survivor’s 23rd birthday. For abuse on or after July 1, 2015, there is a second route: two years from when the survivor knew or had reason to know of the abuse and that it caused injury, shown by medical or psychological evidence. Using that later route raises the bar against a school or church from negligence to gross negligence. An adult survivor has two years. This guide covers those rules from the Official Code of Georgia, the 2015-2017 window that reached only individual abusers, the criminal deadlines, and five firms that represent survivors in Georgia.

Call 911 in any emergency. The Georgia Coalition Against Domestic Violence lists a 24/7 statewide hotline at 1-800-334-2836, and the National Sexual Assault Hotline is 1-800-656-4673.

The two-year rule in O.C.G.A. § 9-3-33 was read in FindLaw’s copy of the Georgia Code, which FindLaw dates March 28, 2024. The Hidden Predator Act provisions and criminal statutes are quoted from CHILD USA’s analysis, which reports checking them on September 5, 2026. The page is general information about Georgia law and not an evaluation of any claim.

Abuse Before July 1, 2015: The 23rd Birthday

O.C.G.A. § 9-3-33.1(a)(2) provides that “any civil action for recovery of damages suffered as a result of childhood sexual abuse committed before July 1, 2015, shall be commenced on or before the date the plaintiff attains the age of 23 years.”

For this older abuse, the age-23 date is the deadline, with no discovery alternative.

Abuse on or After July 1, 2015: Age 23 or Two Years From Discovery

Section 9-3-33.1(b)(2)(A) allows the action to be brought “(i) On or before the date the plaintiff attains the age of 23 years; or (ii) Within two years from the date that the plaintiff knew or had reason to know of such abuse and that such abuse resulted in injury to the plaintiff as established by competent medical or psychological evidence.”

When a case is filed after 23 on the discovery route, § 9-3-33.1(b)(2)(B) requires the court to decide “from admissible evidence in a pretrial finding when the discovery of the alleged childhood sexual abuse occurred,” within six months of filing. Records from a therapist or physician showing when the connection to an injury was made can decide whether the case goes forward.

The covered offenses in § 9-3-33.1(b)(1) include rape, aggravated sodomy, child molestation and aggravated child molestation, enticing a child for indecent purposes, incest, aggravated sexual battery, trafficking for sexual servitude, and statutory rape where the defendant was 21 or older.

Institutions: Negligence or Gross Negligence

Which route a survivor uses changes what must be proved against an organization that owed a duty of care or controlled the activity:

  • Age-23 route (§ 9-3-33.1(c)(2)): damages are awarded “only if by a preponderance of the evidence there is a finding of negligence on the part of such entity.”
  • Discovery route (§ 9-3-33.1(c)(3)): damages require a finding “that there was gross negligence on the part of such entity, that the entity knew or should have known of the alleged conduct giving rise to the civil action and such entity failed to take remedial action.”

A survivor who is close to 23 may therefore have a stronger case against an institution by filing before that birthday than by relying on discovery later.

The 2015-2017 Window Reached Only the Abuser

The Hidden Predator Act added a former subsection (d), quoted by CHILD USA: “Plaintiffs of any age who were time barred from filing a civil action for injuries resulting from childhood sexual abuse due to the expiration of the statute of limitations in effect on June 30, 2015, shall be permitted to file such actions against the individual alleged to have committed such abuse before July 1, 2017.” The window has closed, and it never applied to schools, churches, or other entities.

Adult Survivors: Two Years Under § 9-3-33

O.C.G.A. § 9-3-33 provides: “Except as otherwise provided in this article, actions for injuries to the person shall be brought within two years after the right of action accrues.” For an assault on an adult, two years from the assault is the period to plan around, and any argument that it was paused needs a lawyer’s review early.

Criminal Deadlines Under §§ 17-3-1 and 17-3-2.1

Prosecution is the state’s decision. CHILD USA reports these Georgia rules:

  • Child victims under 16, crimes on or after July 1, 2012 (§ 17-3-2.1(b)): for rape, aggravated sodomy, child molestation, aggravated child molestation, enticing a child, incest, cruelty to children in the first degree, and trafficking for sexual servitude, “a prosecution may be commenced at any time,” except for the misdemeanor-level forms excluded by the statute.
  • Child victims under 16, crimes from July 1, 1992 to June 30, 2012 (§ 17-3-2.1(a)): the period does not begin until the victim turns 16 or the offense is reported, whichever is earlier.
  • Forcible rape (§ 17-3-1(b)): fifteen years.
  • Other felonies (§ 17-3-1(c)): four years, or seven years where the victim was under 18.
  • DNA (§ 17-3-1(d)): no limit for rape, aggravated child molestation, aggravated sodomy, and aggravated sexual battery when DNA evidence establishes the identity of the accused, provided enough of the evidence is preserved for testing by the accused.

A civil claim does not depend on any prosecution.

Facts to Bring to a Georgia Lawyer

In Georgia the survivor’s birthday and the date of the abuse set the first deadline, so bring both, along with any medical or counseling records that show when the abuse was linked to an injury. Questions for the lawyer:

  1. Did the abuse occur before or after July 1, 2015?
  2. How far away is the 23rd birthday, and should a claim against an institution be filed before then to keep the negligence standard?
  3. If the claim relies on discovery, what medical or psychological evidence shows when discovery occurred?
  4. For an adult assault, when did the two years under § 9-3-33 begin?
  5. Is any defendant a public school system or government body with notice requirements?
  6. Does the firm represent a church, school, employer, or insurer that may be a defendant?

Top 5 Sexual Assault Attorneys in Georgia

1. Gautreaux Law, LLC | Macon, GA

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.

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

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

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 abused in 2012 and I am now 24. Can I still sue in Georgia?

For abuse before July 1, 2015, § 9-3-33.1(a)(2) set the deadline at the 23rd birthday, and the 2015-2017 window that allowed older claims against the individual abuser has closed. A lawyer can check whether any other rule applies to your facts.

I was abused in 2017 and only recently connected it to depression. What are my options?

For abuse on or after July 1, 2015, you may file within two years of when you knew or had reason to know of the abuse and that it caused injury, shown by medical or psychological evidence. A claim against an institution on that route requires proof of gross negligence.

How long does an adult have to sue for sexual assault in Georgia?

Two years after the right of action accrues, under O.C.G.A. § 9-3-33.

Can child molestation from 2013 still be prosecuted?

Where the victim was under 16 and the offense is covered by § 17-3-2.1(b), prosecution may be commenced at any time for crimes on or after July 1, 2012.

Support and Reporting Lines

  • Emergency: 911
  • Georgia Coalition Against Domestic Violence, 24/7 statewide hotline: 1-800-334-2836
  • Georgia Network to End Sexual Assault (office): 404-815-5261
  • National Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-656-4673

Sources