Legal Services

Supportive, justice-oriented advocacy

Our trained staff of certified legal advocates assist victims in the preparation of paperwork necessary to obtain emergency Temporary Protective Orders from courts in Bibb, Crawford, Jones, Peach and Twiggs counties. A Temporary Protective Order (TPO) is a legal document that restrains the abusive party from contacting the victim, harassing the victim, or coming within 150 yards of the victim. There can also be provisions such as restricting visitation with children, granting use of a shared home or vehicle, or restricting access to firearms. In most cases, TPOs must be filed in the county where the abusive party resides. All services are provided free of charge. Each client served through the program participates in safety planning. If you have questions, or if you would like to file a TPO, please call (478)745-9292. If you are not yet ready to leave an abusive relationship, our advocates can still help! We provide referrals, information about your options and safety planning.

Victim-centered, accessible legal services

Our staff attorney can help victims navigate a myriad of civil legal issues they may face as a result of victimization including divorce, child custody and visitation, immigration, employment, housing and more. Due to limited resources, our staff attorney cannot accept every case. However, our legal team is ready to offer support and resources regardless of whether we provide direct representation. We do not assist in criminal cases. If you are facing criminal charges, please reach out to your local Public Defenders Office or consult a private attorney.

Flexible, accessible advocacy

Our Community Outreach Manager provides support, information, and advocacy to victims living in Crawford, Jones, Peach, and Twiggs Counties. We use a mobile advocacy approach to ensure that services are readily available without requiring travel to our offices in Macon. The Community Outreach Manager travels to each county at least once per week to meet with victims to offer the services of CL&SH. If you live in one of these counties, please call 478-731-9018 Monday-Friday 9AM-5PM to reach out Community Outreach Manager. If you need assistance outside of business hours, please call our 24/7 hotline at 478-745-9292

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