Date Published: June 20, 2006   

Authorities gather along Grand Strand to stop domestic violence

The Associated Press

The chief prosecutor along the Grand Strand says domestic violence is the second biggest problem in the area next to illegal drugs.

Prosecutor Greg Hembree, along with police officers and support groups all met in Georgetown Monday to discuss how to put a stop to domestic violence.

While more safeguards exist now, most on the panel agree domestic abusers evolve from a culture of violence and stopping that abuse will requiring changing the culture.

It has been an especially violent time along the Grand Strand. In March, three people died in five days in what prosecutors said were domestic violence killings. Since 2005, 20 people have been killed by a spouse, family member or partner in Horry and Georgetown counties, authorities said.

But even with those stark numbers, Hembree said the situation is better than it was a decade ago.

"We started in a time in history when most of the judges just didn't see this as a problem. It was just the way they came up and it was a cultural problem," Hembree said.

Hembree thinks domestic violence is the second biggest problem along the Grand Strand and has added a full-time prosecutor to work solely domestic violence and drunk driving.

But changing the pattern of domestic violence and stopping it before it starts will take at least a generation, Family Court Judge H.E. Bonnoitt said.

"Someone who uses combat to solve their problems saw Mom and Dad doing it. You have to stop it when they are young. By the time they get to school, this is part of their life," Bonnoitt said.

Joanne Patterson, director of Citizens Against Spouse Abuse said she thinks an anti-domestic violence program similar to anti-drug programs in schools in the past several years could make a difference.

Several family members and friends of victims told the panel domestic violence takes a toll on the entire community.

"I have buried a child and a sister due to domestic violence," Diane Cuttray said. "That's what we do as victims. We get our tails whupped and then we step out on faith that there is going to be a group that is going to save our lives."

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Information from: The Sun News,