Monique Garvin

Monique Patton Garvin is the Director of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) Programs and the State Human Trafficking Task Force at the South Carolina Attorney General’s Office. She comes to this role with over a decade of professional experience in education, social work, community advocacy, and public health, with an emphasis on the effects of trauma and abuse across the lifespan.

Monique previously served as Acting Director, Deputy Director and VAWA Program Coordinator for the  South Carolina Human Trafficking Task Force and the Violence Against Women Act Program. In these roles, she led State Task Force initiatives, including the development of TraffickProofSC, the state’s award-winning human trafficking prevention education curriculum. Moreover, Monique coordinated statewide trainings for law enforcement, prosecutors, judges, and other service providers on the topics of human trafficking, domestic violence, sexual assault, teen dating violence, stalking, and harassment. Over the years, Monique provided technical assistance to Sexual Assault Response Teams, Domestic Violence Coordinating Councils, and Human Trafficking Regional Task Forces statewide. Since 2019, Monique has also coordinated and managed the annual Silent Witness Program to honor victims of domestic violence homicides.

Prior to joining the South Carolina Attorney General’s office, Monique served as a Teach for America corps member, teaching middle and high school math in Colleton and Clarendon Counties. Her background includes working as a psychotherapist for children and families, providing  residential care to unaccompanied and system-involved youth, and supporting victims of domestic violence seeking emergency housing. 

Monique is a charter member of the COLA City Top Ladies of Distinction, Inc., a national service organization focused on uplifting women and serving teens through their Top Teens Program. She has also served in several other academic programs and community organizations, including being selected as a University of South Carolina Graduate Civic Scholar and serving as a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. She is the former vice-chair of the Board of Directors at the Hive Community Circle, a survivor-led, survivor-driven support organization helping women and girls in South Carolina overcome the trauma of sexual assault, intimate partner violence, and stalking.

On the 10th Anniversary of Teach for America South Carolina, Monique was spotlighted for her impact as a 2014 corps member and her current work in domestic violence and sexual assault. Monique is a 2022 recipient of the Service Award from Columbia Fashion Week and was recognized as Best and Brightest 35 and Under by Columbia Business Monthly in 2022.

Monique is a native of Greenville, SC. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science with a minor in Professional Writing from Winthrop University and dual Master degrees in Public Administration and Social Work from the University of South Carolina.