PRESS RELEASE September 25, 2008 For Immediate Release: “South Carolina Ranks #2 in the Nation for Women Killed by Men"
According to “When Men Murder Women: An Analysis of 2006 Homicide Data” released today by the Violence Policy Center in Washington, DC, South Carolina ranks #2 in the nation for the number of women killed by men.
South Carolina was ranked #7 in the nation according to the previous Violence Policy Center report.This announcement coincides with the beginning of Domestic Violence Awareness Month in the United States, which is recognized in October. This report is based on information obtained from the most recent Supplementary Homicide Report (SHI) data submitted to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).The numbers for 2006 are the most recent statistics available, and the ranking is calculated according to the homicide rate per 100,000 people in the state. 63 females were murdered by males in South Carolina in 2006, a total of 2.84 per 100,000.Seven of the female homicide victims were 65 years of age or older, and the average homicide victim age was 41 years old.Of these victims, 1 was of Asian or Pacific Island descent, 31 were black, and 31 were white. For those homicides in which the victim to offender relationship could be identified, 98% of reported homicides (57 out of 58) were murdered by someone they knew.Of the homicide victims who knew their offenders, 63% (36 victims) were wives, common-law wives, ex-wives, or girlfriends of the offenders. For more information about the Violence Policy Center Report and Domestic Violence Awareness Month activities throughout South Carolina, please contact Rebecca Williams, Communications Coordinator for the South Carolina Coalition Against Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault at 803-256-2900, ext. 101 or send an email to rwilliams@sccadvasa.org.
What is Safe Passage ?
Safe Passage, Inc. was established for the purpose of offering services to families living in violence so that they can make changes in their lives and eliminate violence.Families and individuals who request shelter services do so for various reasons.For some, it provides time to assess their situations and to encourage their abuser to seek help. For others, it provides shelter while plans are made to locate their own living quarters and finances.It can also provide shelter until arrangements can be made for a victim/survivor to relocate to another area.
There is 24-hour staff coverage so that a staff member is at the shelter at all times.Referrals for shelter services are handled by the staff and/or volunteers who answer the crisis lines.The shelter receives referrals from Law Enforcement, DSS, area hospitals, Housing Authority, and other agencies and community groups.Many of the requests are self-referrals or referrals from significant others in the victim/survivor’s life.
The shelter staff and volunteers are trained to understand the complex problems of abuse and the specialized services that are necessary to meet the needs of the shelter residents.The main goal of Safe Passage is to provide a safe place for the individual and/or family to reside and assist them in becoming self sufficient.The shelter provides the opportunity for the victim/survivor to express their emotional needs and to make realistic decisions, concerning their lives in a nonjudgmental environment.
What We Provide
Emergency Shelter - for victims/survivors of domestic violence and their children who need a temporary place to stay.Abuse can fall into the following categories: physical, verbal, sexual, financial, emotional, and destruction of property and/or pets.
Basic Necessities - We provide food, personal care items, clothing, diapers, and laundry facilities.We have access to donated clothing for those residents who arrive with only what they are wearing.
An Emotionally Supportive Environment - The shelter offers a nonjudgmental atmosphere where residents can plan their future.Staff and volunteers listen to them, encourage them, believe in them, and let them know they are valuable people who do not deserve abuse.In addition, residents support other residents.
Counseling - Many of the entering residents are in crisis and benefit from crisis counseling.Other crises may arise while staying at the shelter that may require additional crisis counseling.Individual counseling is available to non-residential residents.Individual counseling is obtained as requested in order to process specific needs and plans during the shelter stay.Each resident will be educated about the dynamics of domestic violence through the SAM (Survivor Awareness Matrix) Program and will receive additional education that will help them become more self-sufficient.
Support Groups - Residents and nonresidents are supported in their decisions to make changes in their life goals and lifestyles in a group format.During the adult support group, the focus is on empowerment; the parenting skills group offers both educational and practical applications to common parenting problems.During the house meetings, residents make use of decision-making skills, prioritizing, learn budgeting, and learn to work together as a cooperative household.
Advocacy - The shelter staff work on behalf of residents and nonresidents.Much of our daily activities are advocacy in nature.
Referrals - We provide access to physicians, optometrists, dentists, attorneys and other agencies, organizations, or groups, which can help residents to progress toward their goals. Safe Passage, Inc. will help seek services free of charge, but we are unable to pay for any of these services. Safe Passage is unable to make lawyer referrals except for SC Centers for Equal Justice or S.C. Lawyer Referral.
Children’s Services - The children of shelter residents are provided structured activities in the form of planned recreation and developmental activities.Shelter staff provides individual counseling and support group experiences to children who are beyond the age of infancy and toddler. Children benefit from their parent’s involvement in the parenting groups while at the shelter. Shelter staff utilizes every opportunity to model appropriate interaction with the children. Services are offered to non-resident children.
Parenting Classes - Are offered to resident and non-resident individuals. These are educational and supportive groups to assist parents develop healthy relationships with their children in a nonviolent environment.
Therapy – Non diagnostictrauma counseling/crisis intervention therapy isprovided to individuals who are dealing with issues arising from the trauma they have suffered in their lives. If the therapist discovers the individual is in need of diagnostic therapy or may need medication then referrals will be made to the appropriate service provider.
Contact Us
If you or someone you know are a victim of domestic violence, please contact us for additional information. Your confidentiality and safety are our concern.
All services offered by Safe Passage, Inc. are free and confidential. 24 Hour Hotline Domestic Violence Services: 803-329-2800