COLUMBIA (WACH)-- Deadly domestic violence cases are up in South Carolina. According to a new report by the Violence Policy Center, South Carolina ranks 7th in the nation for the number of women killed by men.
The report is based on 2009 figures, the most recent available from the Federal Bureau of Investigation. In 2008, South Carolina was ranked 9th.
The report says in 2009, 42 women were murdered by men in the state. Out of the crimes in which police could determine a relationship between the suspect and victim, the report says 78% of the victims were killed by a husband, common-law husband, ex-husband, or boyfriend.
Nancy Barton with Sistercare works to get women out of abusive situations. Sistercare offers shelter to the women and their children, and gives them the help they need to move forward.
“We really have to be careful about telling them to just leave, because that’s the most dangerous time for battered women. We recommend to do some thinking and planning before walking out.”
Barton dreads the statistics for 2011. So far this year, the South Carolina Coalition Against Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault reports 25 women have been killed by men.
Sistercare has a 24-hour hotline for women looking for help. The number is (803) 765- 9428.
The national domestic violence hotline is 1-800-799-SAFE. This will link victims in any part of the United States with the domestic violence program in their area.
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