Sanford should act against violence

e-mail this story discuss this issue in our forums Paul Hyde • Sanford should act against violence (07/31/03) • Deficit could cause a calamity (07/17/03) • State's roads are lawless (06/19/03) • Spoleto sticks to its principles (06/05/03) • License plan could be deadly (05/21/03) More details Write to Paul Hyde, editorial page associate editor, at phyde@greenvillenews.com.

But Sanford, as governor, has done nothing.

That's unconscionable. Domestic violence is one of South Carolina's worst problems. On a per capita basis, our state consistently ranks in the top five in the nation in domestic violence homicides.

In 2000, the most recent year for which numbers are available, the state ranked No. 3 in the nation in the rate of domestic violence deaths. In 1998, the state was No. 1.

The total number of domestic violence cases, in which many women are severely beaten, is staggering: 36,000 a year in South Carolina.

This is an issue that cries out for leadership — the sort of leadership Sanford promised to deliver.

Sanford, of course, had a lot to prove on this issue. He was blistered in TV ads last year by then-Gov. Jim Hodges for voting, as a congressman, against federal initiatives to reduce violence against women. Sanford was the only congressman of 372 House lawmakers to oppose the Violence Against Women Act in 2000, according to an Oct. 7, 2000, Associated Press story.

But Sanford told voters to disregard his actions and believe what he said: that preventing domestic violence would be a priority. Now, his spokesman says it remains a priority.

But when I asked Sanford's spokesman about the governor's strategy for preventing domestic violence, he could cite no plan. He referred me to the State Office of Victim Assistance (SOVA), which deals with the aftereffects of all sorts of crime — helping victims and their families pay for medical bills, lost wages, counseling and, sadly, funeral expenses.

That office, SOVA, merely assists crime victims; it has no crime prevention or coordinating capabilities.

Only the governor can lead the multi-agency strategy that's needed to prevent and respond to domestic violence. That plan should involve law enforcement, the courts, local governments, health care and child welfare agencies, the schools and SOVA.

Victims' advocates worried about Sanford the candidate last year. Their fears seem more and more justified. They point to the fact that Sanford still is not certain whether he will sign the Domestic Violence Protection Act, which, among other things, elevates domestic violence "of a high and aggravated nature" to the status of a felony. That would mean the perpetrator could face years in prison.

Other state leaders, thankfully, have responded to the pleas of victims' advocates, who cite two important triumphs this year: The first is the Domestic Violence Protection Act. The second is an important initiative by state Attorney General Henry McMaster, who is enlisting the help of private attorneys to help prosecute domestic violence cases in court.

But victims' advocates say gubernatorial leadership is crucial. First on their list of priorities is to see Sanford sign the Domestic Violence Protection Act. Next, they want Sanford to act on at least some of the 23 recommendations made in a 110-page report by a domestic violence task force in 2000.

Many of the suggestions were taken from policies that have been successful in other states. Among the recommendations is to establish a state Commission on Domestic Violence that would monitor the problem and make public policy recommendations. The report endorses a public education campaign and criminal domestic violence education for both the judiciary and law enforcement.

Sanford should create a comprehensive strategy for preventing domestic violence and use his bully pulpit for all it's worth to target the problem.

Domestic violence remains one of our state's most shameful problems. Gov. Sanford pledged to fight it. He should back up that promise with action.