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."
