Under the Georgia Family Violence Act, who qualifies as an offender?

Under the Georgia Family Violence Act, the definition of an offender primarily focuses on individuals who engage in specific violent behaviors that are categorized under the Act. This means that it is not restricted to past criminal behavior, relationships, or mere living arrangements. Instead, the law stipulates that an offender is someone who has committed acts of violence against a person they have a certain relationship with, which may include current or former partners, family members, or others in a domestic context.

This emphasis on the actual conduct aligns with the Act's purpose of addressing and preventing instances of family violence, making it clear that the status of being an "offender" is rooted in the actions taken rather than the individual's background or domestic situation. Thus, the focus is on the current behavior that constitutes family violence, which includes physical harm, the threat of harm, or other forms of intimidation or abuse against family members or those with whom there is a domestic relationship.