Each week, reporter Patrick Donohue will post reports from various public-safety officials in Beaufort and Jasper counties on his "Serve and Protect" blog. This week's post is written by 14th Circuit Solicitor Duffie Stone.
In 2000, State Law Enforcement Division crime rates showed the 14th Judicial Circuit, which includes Beaufort County, was one of the most violent circuits in the state for domestic abuse.
There were more victims here than in the densely populated circuit that encompasses Columbia.
When I became Solicitor in 2006, the first three homicide cases I prosecuted were domestic murders. In each case, the murderer had beaten the victim before and the level of abuse escalated.
That same year, we worked with our bipartisan legislative delegation to pass a law that allows us to prosecute domestic violence cases in General Sessions Court along side murderers, rapists and drug dealers instead of inside the same courtroom where people contest speeding tickets.
Each week, reporter Patrick Donohue will post reports from various public-safety officials in Beaufort and Jasper counties on his "Serve and Protect" blog. This week's post is written by 14th Circuit Solicitor Duffie Stone.
Although the most recent statistics from SLED indicate the number of domestic violence victims in our circuit has dropped by 34 percent since 2005, the crime still is prevalent.
Last week, the Violence Policy Center released its annual study of women murdered by men.
South Carolina was again ranked second-worst in the country.
All of the women killed knew their attackers and 70 percent were murdered by their current or former partner.
Victims should know that help is available. Citizens Opposed to Domestic Abuse operates an emergency shelter and can provide legal and other services to help break the cycle of abuse.
In recent years, our office has tripled the number of victim's advocates, who work to connect victims to available resources to help get them back on their feet.
We can all play a part in decreasing instances of this heartbreaking crime. It is important that people report domestic violence to the police, even if they are only a witness to the crime or have second-hand information.
If you hear or see something, say something.