In the news this evening, the article Domestic Violence Out of Control in SC by Katie Newingham of Charlston's ABC News 4. It is an article about an inept law enforcement, judicial, and social services unable or unwilling to assist an at-risk woman with fatal results.Although this problem is not unique to South Carolina, this state "ranks seventh nationwide for domestic violence". The article makes several interesting points, such as:
"Attorney General Henry McMaster says domestic violence is the number one crime problem in South Carolina."
“More than 36,000 victims annually report a domestic violence incident to law enforcement agencies around the state,” As stated on the Attorney General’s Website.
“Over the past eight years, an average of 38 women have been killed each year by their intimate partner.”
I believe that these numbers are actually higher. Especially since the law, courts, medical, and psychologists have such a wide difference of opinion as to what is classified as domestic violence and what is simply ignored. Many states like South Carolina are frustratingly aiding the abuser and perpetuating abuse.
In the article Rebecca Williams, Communications Coordinator for The South Carolina Coalition against Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault, or The Coalition, spoke out.
Williams says of South Carolina "First of all, the issues of control and power, and the patriarchal system are historically very southern as far as women’s place. For a long time in South Carolina it was impossible to get anything passed, it’s not as stringent as other state laws."
Hauntingly Williams added that, "Control issues don’t stop just because the relationship ends."
4 comments:
The laws on domestic violence are out of control. I may not be taken seriously here and see that domestic violence is a problem, however I have had my life destroyed by false allegations that I pulled my girlfriends hair. I am living in fear and now just was allowed back into my own home after 4 months of living in my truck. She knocked me out of my chair and said I dare you to call the cops on me and see who will go to jail. Do not forget that women can abuse there partners as well. This is a two way street that I must pay for the results of her actions. My children will be the ones to suffer the most. I fear that I will lose contact with them because of these crazy laws. They need no proof whatever the crazy lady says is fact when it comes to domestic violence. I never thought about hurting anyone in my life until now. I think that she deserves to live on the streets that is where she is headed. They take away your right to bear arms over a made up story that has no proof. I can honestly say that I am ashamed to be associated with this country and until these laws change I wonder how many innocent people they have destroyed all to make a buck. Welcome to a capitalistic society.
I actually appreciate all comments left on this blog. I understand that sometimes there are circumstances in which people may be wrongfully accused of a crime, but that does not diminish the fact that domestic violence is a serious issue that is taking place everyday destroying innocent lives and often resulting in murder. Laws on domestic violence are not out of control and this is just your emotional opinion. Many victims go unheard and never report, especially when a victim cannot easily provide "proof" or is too afraid to come forward. Many abusers claim that their victim is crazy as stated in your comment which is a red flag about the abuser. It is true that your children will suffer the most, as you state, if you do financially abandon your ex-girlfriend to live on the streets as you have proclaimed that she deserves which is a form of domestic violence called financial abuse. What you do to her you do to your own children. I do not know your situation, but from what you have stated from your posting I hope and pray that you will reconsider your attitude and what is best for your children and do the right thing by providing financially for them by paying your child support in full and on time. No one is out making "a buck" from domestic violence and many people are volunteers. Domestic violence has nothing to do with your right to bear arms. Domestic violence has nothing to do with Capitalism, Socialism, or Communism. Also, I am less likely to take an anonymous posting seriously for debate rather than one that merely disagrees and posts his name.
I am also someone who is being victimized by excessive prosecution and inept policing as regards domestic violence. For approximately two years, I lived wih an alcoholic woman who would put together, tops, three sober days in a row, then off to another bender. Occasionally, she would be blacked out and hit, scratch or kick me. She'd always be mortified or dumbfounded, and very apologetic when she was out of her blackout.
I don't hit women and I know better than to even restrain them when they are hitting you, because the laws are stacked against men. One time, when she hauled off and decked me in the face, several times, I called the law on her one time. Amazingly, the cops let me retract my report before they hauled her in. I was amazed, that they did that -- I thought it was one of those mandatory-arrest deals.
Okay, so some time passes, she's behaving irrationally on occasion and I foolishly don't cut all ties with her and force her to move out. So she attacks me again, repeatedly. Finally she wields a knife at me (though not using it). That's it. Final straw. I call the cops.
Cops come, hear our tales, and haul us both away in cuffs. Amazing. It will cost me a minimum of 8500 dollars to defend against this, and who knows if I even win? There is an inate bias against men in this system, and I am a man who NEVER strikes women.
Domestic violence is not a women's issue and it is not specific to acts of physical violence. Domestic violence is an issue that effects everyone in a community and includes financial, emotional, and other abuses.
This organization targets the majority of caregivers that are dependant on their partner providing for their children, which are usually women. Most men are not financially dependant on women by choice in which they find themselves unable to change that scenario.
I do not know your personal situation and I know that there are many good men out there. The need to help a large group of people that are unable to support themselves and their dependants to escape abusers are women.
This site is not about us versus them or men versus women. It is about helping each other succeed, ending the cycle, and empowering those in need of assistance to become self reliant.
The laws do not favor men when it comes to domestic matters. The story is pretty gruesome for the majority of women trying to step out on their own with no income to even start to consider hiring a lawyer for $8500 and the list of inequities goes on and on. Lucky you having access to funds!
Please seperate your personal experience and anger from the real issue being addressed in this blog in order to break the cycle and help those who are in an abusive and dependant situation to become independant.
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