Advocates emphasize urgency of preventing domestic violence

South Carolina often has the dubious distinction of being in the top 10 for incidents of domestic violence homicides, with a woman being killed by an intimate partner approximately every 12 days. The reality of this crisis drives the work of many concerned professionals, including Tosha Connors, CEO of My Sister’s House. 

“Last week, there was a domestic violence homicide in Berkeley County. Last night, one of your neighbors was assaulted by somebody who claimed to love her. And tonight, one of your co-workers is going to go home afraid and scared,” said Connors as she spoke to a room of intent listeners during MUSC’s annual Domestic Violence Awareness news conference held in recognition of National Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

Congress established Public Law 101-112 in 1989, declaring October to be National Domestic Violence Awareness Month. MUSC works to support survivors, honor victims and raise awareness about intimate partner violence throughout the year but also specifically throughout October with activities and educational initiatives.

 

The value of local community involvement in the nationwide monthlong awareness campaign was highlighted during the news conference. Stakeholders from the MUSC Advocacy Program (MAP) and the National Crime Victims Research and Treatment Center (NCVRTC), My Sister's House and Tri-Country S.P.E.A.K.S. shared vital resources, first-hand accounts and strong impact statistics.

MUSC also offers the Turning the Tide Violence Intervention Program (TTVIP) as part of its resources for victims of domestic abuse in addition to MAP, the NCVRTC and the Sexual Assault Services program.

According to the National Domestic Violence Hotline, more than 1 in 3 women and 1 in 4 men in the U.S. have experienced rape, physical violence or stalking by an intimate partner in their lifetimes. Adults aren’t the only victims of domestic violence, either: At least 1 out of every 15 children are witnesses to violence within their homes every year. Worldwide, there are an estimated 2.75 million children who are affected by domestic violence. 

“Who is responsible for taking care of our children? We all are. It is the adults that are responsible for protecting and taking care of kids,” said Rochelle Hanson, Ph.D., with the NCVRTC. “We are here to help. Our service partners are here to help. We can give you statistics all day long, but at the end of the day, we cannot and should not do this work alone.”

For a complete list of all University-sponsored National Domestic Violence Awareness Month events, please visit the Office of Equity’s webpage.

The National Domestic Violence Hotline can be reached at 1-800-799-7233, and My Sister's House can be reached at 843-744-3242.