SC ranks 6th in domestic violence cases; Horry Co. group helps sexual assault victims

A bracelet representing domestic violence and explaining “love shouldn’t hurt,” (Credit: Gianna Forbis/WPDE)

(WPDE) — South Carolina ranked sixth in the nation for domestic violence, according to a recent report from World Population Review.

The report highlights that 42.3 percent of the violence is against women, while 29.2 percent is against men.

Despite the high ranking, the state has seen some improvement compared to previous years.

A Father’s Place, a nonprofit organization based in Conway, has been working to reduce these numbers.

From October 2023 to September 2024, the organization served just under 1,000 men.

The program’s Ready 4 Life curriculum saw a 75 percent completion rate among young men aged 14 to 21.

“We have a specific domestic violence session talking about the impact on women and children, and helping the men themselves, cause many of the men have been victims of it, and I’ve also witnessed it all in their childhood,” Wallace Evans Jr., CEO of A Father’s Place, said.

Evans said that while he’s unsure why South Carolina remains high on the list for domestic violence, economic factors in rural areas play a significant role.

“Certainly, economics it’ll play a huge part in that in rural areas. It is much more prevalent, and a lot of our state is rural, but there are a lot of factors, I think that are really creating an environment in which men here in the South and in particular here in South Carolina are perpetrating violence against women and children,” he said.

The state also ranks high for sexual assaults. The South Carolina Coalition Against Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault reports that every 68 seconds, a person in the U.S. is sexually assaulted.

In South Carolina, 2,037 adults and 1,499 children under 18 sought services after a sexual assault.

Evans emphasized the importance of community involvement in addressing these issues.

“A larger point about what we as men within the community can do to support or to help drive down on these numbers here in the state is bystander intervention, right, helping me and understanding, hey, when you see something, say something. And protect women and our children are young ladies especially,” he said.

A Father’s Place partners with the Family Justice Center and Rape Crisis Center to support all victims.

The Family Justice Center, which assists victims in Horry and Georgetown counties, told ABC15 the mission of the Family Justice Center of Georgetown and Horry Counties is to reduce injuries and deaths resulting from domestic violence.

“Family Justice Center is fortunate to have a professional and caring staff who offer safe shelter, case management, court advocacy, and counseling to victims of domestic violence and their children, who are often seriously traumatized,” The Family Justice Center said in a statement.

The justice center plans to begin construction next month on a new shelter in Horry County to better serve victims.

If you or someone you know needs help, contact A Father’s Place here or call 843-488-2923.

Contact the Family Justice Center or their 24 Crisis Line at (844) 208-0161.