Victims Matter Rally offers support to violent crime survivors, brings attention to barriers within justice system
COLUMBIA, SC (WOLO) — Thursday morning, the 3rd Annual Victims Matter Rally brought out hundreds of people to the Statehouse in support of people affected by violence.
The main purpose of the rally is to not only offer support to victims of violent crimes, but to raise awareness around barriers they face within the justice system.
Hosted by the SC Victim Assistance Network and the SC Coalition Against Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault, advocates included Lillie and Carl Smalls, Sr. whose son Carl, Jr. was murdered by Jeroid Price at a Columbia nightclub in 2002, and Sandy Smith, whose son Stephen’s death in 2015 still remains unsolved.
Price was temporarily set free from prison last March, before the SC Supreme Court overturned the ruling, landing Price back in prison.
Stephen’s death, which has been associated with the Murdaugh murders, was only ruled a homicide last March.
Christina Watts is a mother of four and a survivor of domestic abuse, saying her ex-husband physically and emotionally abused her for years.
“I escaped on April 9th, 2022, and our cases have not been heard. Despite having wonderful prosecutors and attorneys involved, the system has a lot of roadblocks that drag out a process,” Watts says.
Under state law, domestic abuse survivors can get a divorce in as little as ninety days. Watts says her situation has dragged out for years, but she’s not giving up.
“I am strong enough now I am standing my ground. I have found my identity in God and not the identity my ex was trying to make me believe, and I’m strong enough, but my kids are innocent and when children are used as pawns and used as collateral to further a defense case, that’s why I’m here,” Watts says.
She’d like to see faster processes put in place within the court system, and less time spent protecting abusers.
“We just want to move on, and we want a better life for ourselves and a better life for our children. And if it means getting our children protection and letting them move on and not go through all the mental torment they go through, I will fight. I will stand my ground, I’m not going anywhere,” she says.
Shannon Nix works for the SC Coalition Against Violence and Sexual Assault. She says a male abuser who has access to a firearm is five times more likely to kill his partner.
Nix wants to remind everyone that if someone tells you they’re being abused — listen to them.
“I think a lot of times folks find it hard to believe or don’t want to believe that someone they love is being hurt in that way, which I completely understand, that’s really hard to hear, but the best thing we can do is say I believe you and how can I help you?” she says.
