Violence Against Women Act (VAWA)
The Violence Against Women Act section is a Department of Justice grant-funded program created as a byproduct of the Federal Violence Against Women Act (1994). With federal aid, the South Carolina Office of the Attorney General (SCAG) established the S.T.O.P Violence Against Women program in 1996 to combat the prevalence of domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking, stalking and harassment in South Carolina.
The Violence Against Women Act Program (VAWA) has two main focuses:
- Prosecuting VAWA-related crimes
- Training law enforcement, judges, prosecutors, and victim advocates on the causes, consequences, intersectionalities, and laws related to domestic violence & sexual assault crimes
To meet the goals of the program, a director, a special prosecutor, program coordinator, and program assistant collaborate to implement the statewide program.
Initiatives
Trainings
Each training is catered to law enforcement officers, judges, prosecutors, victim advocates and other victim services providers. All VAWA trainings are approved for 6 CLE, JCLE, CLEE and VSP hours
- 2024 VAWA Virtual Training Session, November 7, 2024
Human Trafficking, Domestic Violence, Sextortion, and Elder Abuse
11.7.24 Training Flyer - 2024 VAWA Virtual Training Session, July 31, 2024
Human Trafficking, Domestic Violence, Sextortion, and Elder Abuse
7.31.24 TRAINING FLYER - 2024 VAWA Virtual Training Session, April 30, 2024
Investigating, Prosecuting, and Understanding Sexual Assault. Click here to register.
4.30.24 TRAINING FLYER - 2024 VAWA Training Session, February 21, 2024
Investigating, Prosecuting, and Understanding Sexual Assault.
2.21.24 TRAINING FLYER
Past Trainings
2023 Trainings
- 2023 VAWA Training Session, December 7, 2023
Domestic Violence, Support Services for Survivors: An accredited course for law enforcement, judges, prosecutors, and victim advocates.
- 2023 VAWA Virtual Training Session, October 30, 2023
Domestic Violence, Support Services for Survivors:A virtual accredited course for law enforcement, judges, prosecutors, and victim advocates.
- 2023 VAWA Virtual Training Session, September 13, 2023
Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault, Stalking and Harassment: A virtual accredited course for legal professionals — judges, prosecutors, and other court professionals.
2022 Trainings
- May 18: Training Registration
- June 21: Training Registration
- August 11: Training Registration
- November 2: Training Registration
2021 Webinar Recordings
- May 26: Register and view this recorded webinar here. Continuing education credits will be submitted at the end of each month for each completed webinar.
- May 27: Register and view this recorded webinar here. Continuing education credits will be submitted at the end of each month for each completed webinar.
- May 28: Register and view this recorded webinar here. Continuing education credits will be submitted at the end of each month for each completed webinar.
Silent Witness Ceremony
Each year on the first Tuesday in October, the South Carolina Attorney General’s Office hosts a Silent Witness ceremony to honor the victims of domestic violence. During this ceremony, wooden silhouettes represent the women and men who have died due to domestic violence in South Carolina during the preceding year. Attorney General Alan Wilson will read the name of each victim and the circumstances of their death. As each name is read, volunteers or family members of the victim carry the silhouette and take a place on the State House steps. The event is open to the public.
For more information about Silent Witness, please contact the Violence Against Women Department at (803) 734-3745.
Resources
South Carolina Domestic Violence Legislation
Domestic Violence (S.C. Code § 16-25-20
- 1st Degree (S.C. Code § 16-25-20(A)
- 2nd Degree (S.C. Code § 16-25-20(B)
- 3rd Degree (S.C. Code § 16-25-20(C)
Teen Dating Violence
- Teen dating violence is the physical, psychological or sexual abuse; harassment; or stalking of any person ages 12 to 18 in the context of a past or present romantic or consensual relationship (National Institute of Justice)
Criminal Sexual Conduct (SC Code § 16-3-651)
- 1st Degree (SC Code § 16-3-652)
- 2nd Degree (SC Code § 16-3-653)
- 3rd Degree (SC Code § 16-3-654)
Spousal Sexual Battery (SC Code § 16-3-615)
- 1st Degree Criminal Sexual with a Minor (SC Code § 16-3-655(a))
- 2ndDegree Criminal Sexual Conduct with a Minor (SC Code § 16-3-655(b))
- 3rd Degree Criminal Sexual Conduct with a Minor (SC Code § 16-3-655(c))
Human Trafficking
- Use of force, fraud, or coercion to engage an individual in commercial sex or forced labor.
- 1st Degree (SC Code § 16-3-1700(A)
- 2nd Degree (SC Code § 16-3-1700(B)
- 2nd Degree (SC Code § 16-3-1700(C)
Reports
It is vital that the public understands the significant problem domestic violence poses to our communities. The S.T.O.P. Violence Against Women program acts as a clearinghouse for DV statistics. The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division graciously provides this office with data necessary to bring to the attention of the public the growing need for strong action against domestic violence.
2024 Silent Witness Story | 2024 Annual Report | 2024 Infographic
2023 Silent Witness Story | 2023 Annual Report | 2023 Infographic
2022 Silent Witness Story | 2022 Annual Report
2021 Silent Witness Story | 2021 Annual Report | 2021 Infographic
2020 Silent Witness Story | 2020 Annual Report | 2020 Infographic
2019 Silent Witness Story | 2019 Annual Report
2018 Silent Witness Story | 2018 Annual Report
2017 Silent Witness Story | 2017 Annual Report
2015 Silent Witness Story | 2015 Annual Report
Violence Policy Center “When Men Murder Women” Report
In 2015, the domestic violence laws in South Carolina were changed to enact harsher punishment and penalties for perpetrators and provide greater protection for victims. Based on 2017 data (the most recent report), Washington’s Violence Policy Center ranked South Carolina fifth (5th) in the nation for the number of women killed by men. This was two years after the domestic violence laws changed. Our office is still diligently educating those in the criminal justice system on the new laws and changing prevalent perceptions of this crime.
The Poster Project
One of the goals of the S.T.O.P Violence Against Women program is to raise awareness about resources for victims of sexual assault and domestic violence. Our office works to achieve this goal by providing free posters to businesses, schools, police, counselors, hospitals, and other professionals. To request these posters for your business or organization, please email our office
Domestic Violence Coordinating Councils (DVCCs)
Through public and private collaboration, each circuit solicitor is responsible for the development of community domestic violence coordinating councils (DVCC). The purpose of the council is to:
- Increase the awareness and understanding of domestic violence
- Reduce the incidence of domestic violence in each respective area
- Enhance and ensure the safety of battered individuals and their children
DVCC Chair Contact Information
|
County |
Contact |
|
|
Beaufort |
Erinn McGuire |
|
|
Charleston |
Pat Warner |
|
|
Greenville |
Donna Smith |
|
|
Greenwood |
Mary Ann Stroup |
|
|
Lexington |
Nikki Vega Gugel |
|
|
Orangeburg |
Chelsea Glover |
|
|
Richland |
Chris Whitaker |
|
|
Spartanburg |
Alex Lyles |
|
|
Sumter |
Amanda Wiley |
|
|
York |
Jenny Desch |
Sexual Assault Response Teams (SARTs)
Sexual assault response teams are developed throughout the state to address the prevalence and response of sexual assault in each county.
SART Chair Contact Information
|
County |
SART Coordinator Name |
|
| Abbeville | ||
| Aiken, Barnwell, Allendale, Saluda, Edgefield, McCormick | April Jordan | [email protected] |
| Anderson | Jackie Garcia, Bebe Porpilia | [email protected] [email protected] |
| Bamberg/Calhoun/Orangeburg | Sharolyn Carter | [email protected] |
| Tri-County (Charleston/Berkley/Dorchester) | Bradley Burris | [email protected] |
| Tri-County (Charleston/Berkley/Dorchester) | Melissa Carpse | [email protected] |
| Tri-County (Charleston/Berkley/Dorchester) | Kelly Freshman | [email protected] |
| Cherokee | Marlene Evans | [email protected] |
| Chester/Fairfield/Lancaster | Quisha McGriff | [email protected] |
| Chesterfield | None | |
| Clarendon/Sumter | ||
| Colleton | None | |
| Darlington | None | |
| Dillon | None | |
| Florence | None | |
| Georgetown/Horry | Julie Gregg & Rosa Perez | [email protected] [email protected] |
| Greenville | Shannon Lambert Jessica Herron | [email protected] [email protected] |
| Greenwood | ||
| Kershaw | Sheila Farrar | [email protected] |
| Laurens | Elizabeth Wise | [email protected] |
| Low-Country (Jasper, Brufort, Hampton, Collenton, Beaufort) | Sheila Roemeling | [email protected] |
| Marion | None | |
| Marlboro | None | |
| Newberry | ||
| Oconee | None | |
| Pickens | ||
| MSART (Richland and Lexington Counties) | Juana Saavedra | |
| Spartanburg | Kendall Karpik | [email protected] |
| Union/York | Kerby McKinnell | [email protected] |
| Williamsburg | None | |
