• In SC, 36 women were murdered as a result of domestic violence in 2003.

(SC Attorney General’s “Silent Witness” 2004.)

• SC ranked sixth in the nation for men who murder women.

• 49 women were killed by their intimate partners.

(Violence Policy Center, 2002)

• Domestic violence is the leading cause of injuries to women age 15 to 44, more common than

auto accidents, mugging, and cancer combined.

(US Surgeon General)

• A woman is beaten by her husband or boyfriend every 12 seconds in the US.

• In 2002, an estimated 6 million women reported abuse, compared to 200,000 men.

( The Post and Courier Staff, January 5, 2003.)

It is a crime to beat anyone and the law should be enforced. Until society rejects resolving conflict and expressing anger through violence, domestic violence will not end.