---
title: O.C.G.A. § 17-18-2. Information for victims of rape or forcible sodomy.
collection: code
id: 17-18-2
cite_as: O.C.G.A. § 17-18-2 (2025)
canonical_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/17-18-2
md_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/17-18-2.md
text_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/17-18-2/text
source_url: https://www.legis.ga.gov/api/document/docs/default-source/joint-features-document-library/t17-(v15)-2020-pdf.pdf?sfvrsn=8c04ccfe_0#page=1562
date: 2025
status: active
corpus_version: 2025-supplement-89aa39ab3c68
license: CC0-1.0
publisher: Georgia Commons, an independent project of Georgia Civic Data. Not the State of Georgia. Not legal advice.
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version: the only printed version
in_force: true
current_through: Including Acts of the 2025 Regular Session of the General Assembly
heading_path: CRIMINAL PROCEDURE / WRITTEN STATEMENTS OF INFORMATION TO VICTIMS OF RAPE OR FORCIBLE SODOMY
extraction_warnings:
  - indent_level_unclear:p1563
  - indent_level_unclear:p1563
---

# O.C.G.A. § 17-18-2. Information for victims of rape or forcible sodomy.

The following information in substantially the form set out in this Code section shall be provided to adult victims of rape or aggravated sodomy in accordance with Code Section 17-18-1:

‘‘INFORMATION FOR VICTIMS OF RAPE OR FORCIBLE

SODOMY

If you are the victim of rape or forcible sodomy, you have certain rights under the law.

Rape or forcible sodomy by a stranger or a person known to you, including rape or forcible sodomy by a person married to you, is a crime. You can ask the government’s lawyer to prosecute a person who has committed a crime. The government pays the cost of prosecuting for crimes.

If you are the victim of rape or forcible sodomy, you should contact a local police department or other law enforcement agency immediately. A police officer will come to take a report and collect evidence. You should keep any clothing you were wearing at the time of the crime as well as any other evidence such as bed sheets. Officers will take you to the hospital for a medical examination. You should not shower or douche before the examination. The law requires that the Georgia Crime Victims Emergency Fund pay for the medical examination to the extent of the cost for the collection of evidence of the crime.’’

## History

Code 1981, § 17-18-2, enacted by Ga. L. 1996, p. 1115, § 5; Ga. L. 2011, p. 214, § 6/HB 503.

## Cross References

Development of rape prevention and personal safety education program, § 20-2-314.

## Code Commission Notes

Pursuant to Code Section 28-9-5, in 1996, the assignment of this new Code section was changed from Code Section 17-17-2 to Code Section 17-18-2.

Pursuant to Code Section 28-9-5, in 1996, ‘‘17-18-1’’ was substituted for ‘‘17-17-1’’ in the first sentence.