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Cobb-Hunter: Tougher domestic violence law holds batterers, judicial system accountable

Rep. Gilda Cobb-Hunter says South Carolina has more work to do to address abuse beyond enacting a tougher domestic violence law.

She said she is pleased that stiffer penalties and fines and mandatory training for judges are among the components of the state's stricter domestic violence law but says communities will now have to step up their fight against the problem.

An advocate for domestic violence for more than 30 years, the Orangeburg Democrat was among those who witnessed Republican Gov. Mark Sanford sign House Bill 3984 into law Tuesday during a bill signing ceremony at the State House.

"It was a very gratifying and satisfying moment for me," she said. "It was the culmination of years of work on this issue. My goal in all of this was to get this bill passed, and I'm very pleased that this occurred."

Under the new law, which takes effect Jan. 1, 2006, the minimum penalty for a first conviction of domestic violence increases to $1,000 from $500, or 30 days in jail. The penalty can be suspended if the person completes a counseling program.

The penalty for second offenders increases to 30 days to one year in jail and up to $5,000 in fines. The current penalty is either 30 days in jail, or a $500 fine.

The law bumps third-offense criminal domestic violence infractions up to felony offenses rather than misdemeanors.

"It's about accountability," Cobb-Hunter said. "This legislation was truly about holding batterers accountable for their actions and holding the system accountable because there are training requirements for judges, for example, that are long overdue.

"That's a very important part of the legislation, but what I have said all along is that this legislation will not end domestic violence."

Rather, she said, there is an ongoing struggle to bolster the education and law enforcement components of the response.

"Domestic violence is a community problem that requires a community response," she said. "What I am interested in doing is letting the legislation have a chance to take effect, understand what's in it, fully implement it and then gauge what else needs to be done."

Cobb-Hunter co-sponsored the session's initial domestic violence bill, House Bill 3143. A provision of that bill which banned people convicted of CDV from carrying a concealed weapon was dropped, but she said the issue will remain one that needs attention.

"I'm sure there's some other areas out there, but I've been doing this long enough to know that you cannot legislate this issue away," she said. "It's a multifaceted problem that will require a multifaceted approach."

Cobb-Hunter thanked Sanford for signing the bill and Republican House Speaker David Wilkins and Senate Pro Tem Glenn McConnell, R-Charleston, for their commitment to getting the tougher domestic violence legislation passed.

"I also really thank all of the people across the state who spoke out and allowed their voices to be heard on this issue," she said. "Were it not for the media and the public outcry, we would not have had a bill signing. I've never been concerned about pride of authorship, but rather addressing the issue and getting something done.

"You'd be surprised how much you can get done if you're not concerned with who gets the credit."