South Carolina is the fifth deadliest state for women murdered by men according to the Violence Policy Center in Washington, DC.
The Violence Policy Center has ranked South Carolina among the top ten worst states for the last fifteen years when it comes to domestic violence and the number of women murdered by men.
A woman dies every twelve days from domestic violence in South Carolina.
October is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, which first began in 1981 by the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence as a Day of Unity to connect battered women’s advocates across the country.
Domestic violence has no bounds. It affects every race, every religion, every culture and every economic class every day of every month of every year. Regrettably, we do not know that it is happening to a friend, family member or neighbor until it is too late and the abuse has turned deadly. Here at home in South Carolina, our femicide rate (a woman murdered by a man) is often over twice the national average.
There is an old saying, “Home is where the heart is.”Unfortunately, for some, home is a place of heartache. Domestic violence experts say an untold number of women live with the threat of physical, emotional and psychological abuse – generally from the men in their lives. It is an existence most of us find unimaginable.
The South Carolina Coalition Against Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault (SCCADVASA) detail that domestic violence includes behavior beyond physical violence: “…yelling, humiliation, stalking, manipulation, coercion, threats and isolation. It’s stealing a paycheck, keeping tabs online, non-stop texting…”
President Barack Obama commended the federal legislation, signed into law Sept. 13, 1994, which improved the criminal justice system’s response to domestic violence and offered greater support and protection for victims. Yet, President Obama acknowledged there is more to be done.
“Too many women continue to live in fear in their own homes, too many victims still know the pain of abuse, and too many families have had to mourn the loss of their loved ones,” President Obama stated in a proclamation. “It has to end – because even one is too many.”
If you or someone you know needs help with domestic violence, call the free and confidential hotline available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
1-800-799-SAFE (7233)
The South Carolina Coalition against Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault (SCCADVASA) also has information for victims and their friends or family.
If you are looking for someone to lend a confidential, impartial ear, our advocates at The Hotline are a great option. They will listen, withhold judgment and help you begin to address what is going on in your relationship.
The advocates at our Hotline are available 24/7/365 to take your calls at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233). We also offer live chat services via this website 24/7/365.
We all can do our part to end this violence. We can start right where we live.
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As with all matters concerning state government, I want to hear your opinions and suggestions concerning these issues. Please contact me in my Columbia office located at 608 Gressette Office Building. You can reach me, or a member of my staff in Columbia at (803) 212-6000 or by fax at (803) 212-6011. My district office is located at 1305 North Main Street, Marion, SC 29571, the phone number is (843) 423-8237 and the fax number is (843) 431-6049. You may also email me at kentwilliams@ scsenate.gov. My business phone is (843) 423-3904. Please use this information to write, call or e-mail me with your suggestions and concerns regarding issues before the Senate and in our community.