South Carolina domestic violence victims say authorities do not treat the crime seriously and the state does not have enough services to help them live independently, a study released Wednesday said.

Columbia psychologist Lisabeth Saunders-Medlock talked with 71 victims this summer to prepare her report for a state group that fights domestic violence.

The S.C. Coalition Against Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault released those findings Wednesday at a State House news conference.

The Saunders-Medlock report comes on the heels of a national study that ranked as worst in the nation the state’s rate of women killed by men.

“Thoughtful and educated action must replace rhetoric if we are to stop these innocent deaths,” said Vicki Bourus, the coalition’s director.

S.C. Attorney General Henry McMaster called on victims’ advocates and others to “find new and imaginative ways to attack this very serious, tragic and sad situation.”

At the news conference, Columbia therapist Elizabeth Burns described her experience with domestic violence while living in California.

She credited a battered women’s program for helping her when she was homeless and living out of her car.

“A little bit of righteous anger and prayer turned my life around,” Burns said.

The Saunders-Medlock study involved focus groups in 11 S.C. counties. Most of the 71 women interviewed either were in domestic violence shelters or had been in shelters. They ranged in age from the early 20s to late 60s.

Among the concerns expressed, according to the report:

• ; Police do not believe victims if they do not see obvious injuries. Bruises typically appear later, and many abusers know where to strike victims to conceal injuries

• ; Some judges deny orders of protection even when battered women say they fear for their lives, while other judges are slow in issuing orders. And, even when orders are issued, police often do not enforce them.

• ; Judges set low bonds for offenders and often give them no jail or prison time, even after convictions for second and subsequent offenses.

• ; Free legal help often is not available for low-income victims. Pro bono lawyers are needed to represent battered women in criminal cases and in divorce and custody matters.

• ; There are few transitional housing programs for victims or other resources to help them initially pay their rent and utilities after leaving shelters.

• ; More education and job training programs are needed to help battered women live independently, as well as better access to transportation and child care.

The report also said that although the state has 16 domestic violence shelters and 31 satellite offices, women with teenage children — often not allowed in shelters — have few alternatives.

The shelters, with a total of 367 beds, provided living quarters for 3,731 victims last year but had to turn away 517 victims for lack of space, the report said.

To help break the cycle of domestic violence, women in the study recommended more middle school and high school programs to help young people identify the signs of abuse.

Many of the women interviewed said they grew up in households where “being abused was a normal way of life.”

Reach Brundrett at (803) 771-8484 or rbrundrett@thestate.com.