Domestic violence classes by state · Georgia
Court-Ordered Domestic Violence Classes in Georgia
If a Georgia court ordered you into a domestic violence class, it almost certainly means the state's certified program — 24-week certified Family Violence Intervention Program (FVIP) — not a generic anger-management class. Here's what that program is, how long it runs, whether it can be done online, and how to find one your court will accept.
If you or someone else is in danger right now, call 911. To talk to someone about domestic violence — as a survivor or if you're worried about your own behavior — the National Domestic Violence Hotline is free, confidential, and available 24/7: call 1-800-799-7233, text START to 88788, or visit thehotline.org.
Quick answer: domestic violence classes in Georgia
Mostly in-person (limited online). A certified FVIP is a 24-week group program built around offender accountability and victim safety — not a short or self-paced anger-management class. Georgia does not approve any self-paced online FVIP; only live virtual group classes are permitted, under GCFV guidelines for virtual classes. Whether a specific virtual class is accepted for your case is up to the court, so confirm before you enroll. the Georgia court that sentenced you or issued your protective order, or your probation/community-supervision officer decides what counts — confirm the specific certified program and format before you enroll or pay.
Anger management is not the same thing. Read anger management vs. batterer intervention to make sure you sign up for the right program the first time.
At a glance
| What courts order | 24-week certified Family Violence Intervention Program (FVIP) |
|---|---|
| When it's required | Georgia courts order a certified Family Violence Intervention Program (FVIP) when sentencing for family violence offenses and when issuing family violence protective orders. Under O.C.G.A. 19-13-16, when a court orders a defendant or respondent in a family violence case into an intervention program, it must be a certified FVIP unless the court states why participation is inappropriate. "Family Violence Intervention Program" is defined by O.C.G.A. 19-13-10(6) as a program certified by the Department of Community Supervision. |
| Typical length | 24 weekly group classes (about six months in practice). Classes average $25–$30 each, the maximum allowable charge is $60 per class, and certified programs must offer a sliding fee scale for participants the court declares indigent. |
| In person or online? | Mostly in-person (limited online) |
| Who certifies / approves it | The Georgia Department of Community Supervision (DCS) certifies FVIPs, with standards set and monitoring assisted by the Georgia Commission on Family Violence (GCFV). Program rules are published in the Georgia Administrative Code (GAC 125-4-9, Family Violence Intervention Program). GCFV publishes the statewide "Certified FVIP Provider List by County." |
Georgia-specific rules to know
- CRITICAL DISTINCTION: a certified Georgia FVIP is NOT a generic anger-management class. GCFV states the two differ fundamentally — FVIPs address violence as learned controlling behavior, not merely a reaction to anger — and an anger-management certificate generally will not satisfy a family-violence order.
- Only DCS-certified programs count: O.C.G.A. 19-13-10(6) defines an FVIP as a program certified by the Department of Community Supervision, and under O.C.G.A. 19-13-16 courts ordering intervention in family violence cases must use a certified FVIP.
- You may attend ANY certified FVIP on the statewide list — GCFV states programs serve all individuals, not just those from the judicial circuit or county where the program is located.
- Cost is regulated: classes average $25–$30, the maximum allowable charge is $60 per class, and a sliding fee scale is required for participants declared indigent by the court.
- Programs notify the court and probation of compliance or termination, so missed classes can become a probation or contempt problem quickly. Confirm the specific certified provider with the court that ordered you before enrolling and paying.
Find an accepted domestic violence program in Georgia
A certified program is not the same as a class you find on your own, so the safest move is to confirm the specific provider with the Georgia court that sentenced you or issued your protective order, or your probation/community-supervision officer before you pay:
Prefer to look on a map? Search Google Maps for certified domestic violence programs in Georgia — then check any provider against your court's order, and confirm it is on the certified/approved list, before enrolling.
Source & accuracy: compiled from official Georgia statutes and certifying-agency sources. Requirements change and vary by court and case — always confirm the certified program, format, length, and deadline with the court that ordered you before enrolling. Sources: gcfv.georgia.gov/family-violence-intervention-programs/what-are-family-violence-intervention-programs, gcfv.georgia.gov/family-violence-intervention-programs/enroll-family-violence-intervention-program, rules.sos.ga.gov/gac/125-4-9, gcfv.georgia.gov/virtual-classes.