Report: S.C. eighth in nation for women killed by men

South Carolina ranks eighth in the number of women killed by men — most of them being men they knew, according to the most recent data from the Violence Policy Center.

The center released the report on South Carolina’s ranking this month, which also is domestic violence awareness month.

Domestic violence victims advocates said it’s sorrowing to hear the state is ranked in the top 10, but they’re relieved that ranking is an improvement over previous reports.

The Violence Policy Center previously ranked South Carolina No. 2 in the nation for women killed by men, according to a press release issued by the South Carolina Coalition Against Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault.

According to data, 46 women were murder by men in 2007, the most recent numbers compiled from the policy center.

About 95 percent of the women slain knew their attacker. Experts said 66 percent of those women were either married, previously married, living with or dating their attackers.

Slain women who were in relationships with their attackers might have suffered in silence for a long time before the situation became deadly, said Ellen Hamilton, director of the Pee Dee Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Assault.

“Men and women want to be together. Women want men in their lives and they are willing to sacrifice a great deal to have men in their lives,” she said. “They want to try again and work on their relationships.”

Domestic violence assailants might not always be violent and full of hate, but might be loving at times, which can be an inclination for their victims to stay, she said.

The situation can become deadly when a victim finally decides to leave the abusive situation, Hamilton said.

The average age of women killed by men is 39, according to data. Most of the slain domestic violence victims were white women.

Nearly all the victim’s were older than 18 with just three being 17 or younger, according to the release.

The Pee Dee Coalition serves Chesterfield, Dillon, Marion, Florence, Darlington and Williamsburg counties.

Coalition volunteers said domestic violence victims can be of any race or nationality, despite perceived correlations between domestic violence in certain groups.

Pee Dee Coalition officials aim to prevent domestic violence, especially before it escalates to the point of someone’s death, she said.

“It’s important to get some intervention. Domestic violence is the No. 1 crime in South Carolina, according to the (S.C.) Attorney General.

“We’re about preventing a murder ... we are about preventing a death (but) you’ve got to intervene early,” she said.

For details on the Pee Dee Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Assault and its services, call (843)669-4694.