Henry Daily Herald

Special Photo The Executive Director of the Georgia Prosecuting Attorneys' Council Charles A. Spahos was recently awarded a Moving the Work Forward Award.

JONESBORO — A former Henry County Solicitor has been honored with a “Moving the Work Forward Award.”

Charles A. Spahos was honored Sept. 24 at the Georgia Commission on Family Violence’s annual conference in Macon. The organization cited his work with the 2012 Legislative session — specifically, passing a law that makes it easier to prosecute domestic violence abusers.

“It was indeed an honor to receive the award,” said Spahos, who left the Henry County Solicitor General’s office in June to become executive director of the Georgia Prosecuting Attorneys’ Council. “The business of the state commission is very important work for the victims of domestic violence in this state. The prosecutors of this state are dedicated to bring domestic violence to an end and will continue our efforts to hold offenders accountable and stand up for the rights of the victims.”

Twenty years ago, if a victim, regardless of the extent of her injuries, did not want the case prosecuted, an arrest was not made, Spahos said. His work on HB 711 changes that.

The law Spahos helped pass “removes spousal privilege in domestic violence cases and adds qualified confidentiality for communications between advocates and victims,” said Greg Loughlin, the Executive Director of the Georgia Commission of Family Violence.

Spahos is familiar with the effects of family violence. He worked domestic violence calls as a Henry County Police officer, and as a deputy with the Henry County Sheriff’s Office. He is a member of the Georgia Commission of Family Violence and has served as the commission’s chairman.

“I look forward to working on the issues surrounding domestic violence from my role with the Prosecuting Attorney’s council,” Spahos said.