South Carolina entered the high-stakes domestic abuse reform arena in January when Gov. Mark Sanford included $2.2 million in his executive budget. It received bold headlines in newspapers across the state. But promising reform elements also were mentioned near the end a front-page story this week that focused on abuse.

Domestic abuse is a huge problem nationwide, especially in South Carolina. Based on population, the Palmetto State ranks sixth nationally in the number of women killed by men. The ranking is down from first a few years ago.

The abuse has an effect on a number of agencies -- from the police who must handle the initial calls, to service agencies such as Citizens Opposed to Domestic Abuse, to hospitals and mental health centers, schools, ministers and other social groups that must deal with the fallout.

Attorney General Henry McMaster actively pushed for more prosecutors to combat this heinous problem. While McMaster wants a criminal domestic prosecutor in each county, 14th Circuit Solicitor Duffie Stone has made headway with a strategy that may lead to more convictions in Beaufort County without the need for victims to cooperate. Stone has assigned at least one assistant solicitor to on-call duty to respond immediately to the scene of a domestic-violence case to interview victims or witnesses, gather evidence and prosecute the offender.

Making a case at the scene of the crime provides the solicitor the tools not only to make a case that might otherwise have been jeopardized because of fear, love or change of heart but also to help ensure successful prosecution of the cases that go to court.

The program should be successful showing bullies that they can't treat their domestic partners in any manner they choose. But a program being planned by Sheriff P.J. Tanner may be of huge benefit in reducing the cycle of violence that comes from children who also must endure domestic violence. Behavior is learned, and the program should offer counseling break the cycle. The sheriff and the solicitor are working together, and the hope is that their program begins soon.

The state is making progress along the road to protecting the victims of domestic violence, but Beaufort County is putting programs in place that could be pacesetters for the long haul to reduce domestic violence.