Advocates of rape victims protest Haley veto

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — Advocates for rape victims and survivors themselves are calling on legislators to override South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley’s veto of $454,000 for rape crisis centers.

The veto strikes money dispersed to the 15 nonprofit crisis centers statewide, which helped 5,000 victims last year.

Haley’s veto message grouped that money with several other health care items she struck for sickle cell, hemophilia and kidney disease patients. She writes those patients have her sympathy and encouragement but represent a small portion of the state’s chronically ill or abused. She says the add-ons distract from the public health agency’s broader mission.

Legislators call Haley’s explanation callous.

Haley left other money in the agency’s budget for rape prevention.

But advocates say the increase only partly reinstates state cuts over the past several years.