Gov. Haley Announces Domestic Task Force Recommendations
Columbia, S.C. (WOLO) — The state of South Carolina is taking a stand against domestic violence. On Thursday, Governor Nikki Haley announced the recommendations made by her domestic violence task force.
The task force compiled 50 total recommendations, the Governor implemented 10 on Thursday.
“This is going too good to stop and we are not going to stop now,” said Governor Nikki Haley.
Governor Haley is taking executive action to change the way South Carolina handles domestic violence cases.
“First thing in South Carolina, if we really are going to have the backs of the people who have to deal with domestic violence then we need to change the culture in the way we communicate it. These people are not victims, they are survivors,” said Governor Haley.
According to the Governor, 42% of violent crimes in the state involve domestic violence. To address it, the governor plans to include roughly 19 million dollars in her executive budget.
“By putting this 19 million in we are going to decrease the case load, we’re going to add to the prosecutors, and we’re going to immediately go after the violent crime that we think is important,” said Governor Haley.
In addition, the Governor is ordering state agencies to provide risk assessment screenings and is asking them to develop human resource policies for domestic violence.
“We will train HR members on how to handle that situation and make sure employees are aware of these policies, aware of the services and know they have a trusted confidant, someone who can help them at their agencies and their place of employment,” said Dept. of Administration Director Marcia Adams.
For domestic violence advocates, the action is a major turning point.
“It’s been a hugely positive move for us, we’ve really seen the state and r at high levels, first with the legislature and then with the Governor and then with all the different agencies that have been devoted to the task force really start to think about domestic violence in a different way,” said SCCADVASA Executive Director, Sara Barber.
