This ETV Forum - Domestic Violence: The Community Responds was part of the Remember My Name - Domestic Violence Project (2005). Our host, Beryl Dakers delivered sobering statistics for domestic violence in South Carolina for the time and said that the slogan for the initiative was "There is no excuse for domestic abuse." and asks the audience what the community was going to do about it.
The participants in the forum included the Attorney General, legislators, businessmen, counselors, leaders of shelter programs, physicians, victims and their families. We learn about the importance of prosecutors and judges trained in domestic abuse cases, as well as training for the police officers who are most likely to be first responders to domestic violence. As children are often witnesses to the violence perpetrated on their mothers, the cycle of abuse continues from one generation to the next unless there are programs for intervention with these young witnesses that will reduce the likelihood of domestic abuse rearing up in their lives in the future.
On a hopeful note, Gilda Cobb-Hunter highlights the success in Spartanburg County that happened when everyone worked together on the issue of domestic abuse, observing that other counties have to concentrate on collaboration, coordination, and cooperation.
Beryl observed that women need to be able to leave an abusive situation, but we also know that life ending violence is more likely to happen when a woman chooses to leave. A separated woman is up to seven times more likely to be killed. She asks, if we have the resources to prevent this outcome in our community to protect these women. Joel Lourie noted that at the time of the project, South Carolina did not have any gun legislation in place to prevent those with either a conviction or a warrant against them to have guns. See Side Notes for information about changes in the gun laws and information that could be helpful to victims of domestic abuse.
This powerful forum ends with Daniele Howle performing her original music for the Remember My Name project. Against the backdrop of her poignant music, a listing of all of the women killed in South Carolina from the preceding three years scrolls on the screen.
Side Notes
- Domestic Hotline Support. We are here to serve all those impacted by relationship abuse 24/7 confidentially. Due to high demand, you may experience longer wait times to connect with a live advocate. If you are unable to wait safely or aren’t ready to call, chat or text — you can search our Directory of Local Providers section anytime for resources and support in your area.
- Domestic Violence Survivor Identity Theft.
- South Carolina Coalition Against Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault.
- Definitions of Domestic Violence as Defined in Domestic Violence Civil Laws: Citation: Ann. Code § 20-4-20. Child Welfare Information Gateway, South Carolina.
- South Carolina enacted a law in 2015 that generally prohibits the possession of firearms or ammunition by someone who has been convicted of: criminal domestic violence in the first degree for ten years; criminal domestic violence in the second degree and the court made specific findings and concluded that the person caused moderate bodily injury to their own household member; criminal domestic violence in the second or third degree for three years if the judge at the time of sentencing ordered that the person is prohibited from possessing guns; aggravated criminal domestic violence for life. The definition of “domestic violence” is limited to crimes against household members, and the definition of “household member” does not include dating partners.