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COLUMBIA, S.C. (WACH, AP) -- South Carolina residents killed in domestic violence disputes last year were honored in a ceremony on the State House steps.

Attorney General Alan Wilson read the victims' names Tuesday during the 14th annual Silent Witness Domestic Violence ceremony. Family members, friends and volunteers carried a life-size silhouette to the steps, representing each victim. An additional silhouette represents the potential unknown victims.

The event is held during National Domestic Violence Awareness Month. A bell rings once for each victim.

"This is a sad and solemn occasion to commemorate the lives that were lost in the past year to domestic violence," said Wilson.

Last year's ceremony recognized two men and 31 women killed by domestic violence in 2009.

According to the latest report by the Violence Policy Center in Washington, South Carolina ranks seventh nationwide in the rate of women killed by men. That's up from ninth in last year's report.

"This is a cycle of violence that must be broken in our state," said Wilson. "All too often, not only is the life of the victim lost, but in ways, we lose the children who grow up in a home where domestic violence is taking place."

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.

(The Associated Press contributed to this report.)