South Carolina has a lot to be proud of, but one of
them isn't the domestic violence rate. It's among the highest in the
nation, and has been for some years.
There are a couple reasons for this. One is that parts of the
state, clinging to outdated values, writes off domestic violence as
an incidental act of passion between two adults that is none of the
public's business. In some remote rural areas, where law-enforcement
and social services are thin, there still persists a kind of
patriarchal culture that permits, if not encourages, a man to beat
"his" woman.
Second, even some of the worst domestic violence incidents are
misdemeanors. That's shocking. Physical violence that would draw
serious jail time if committed against someone outside the home
often draws only a slap on the wrist if a spouse or live-in lover is
the abuser's victim.
As one lawmaker points out, a man can half kill
a woman and be charged with a misdemeanor.
That's just not right, and it's got to change - which is why S.B.
477 sponsored by state Sen. Jim Ritchie, R-Spartanburg, and passed
by the South Carolina Senate deserves strong support in the House.
It
calls for much tougher penalties for persons convicted of criminal
domestic violence. The first conviction of causing physical harm to
a spouse or other household member would bring a fine of $500 and up
to 30 days in jail.
A second offense within 10 years would bring the same penalty and
a third offense could mean as much as three years in prison.
And when an abuser is convicted of using a weapon, he or she
could spend up to 10 years in prison for the felony.
The prospect of serious punishment should give pause to domestic
violence assailants - or, at least, punish them more justly.
This isn't the first time the legislature has tried to get tough
on domestic violence; in the past, the measure came up short when
Neanderthal lawmakers interpreted some provisions of the bill as
unnecessary government meddling in family business.
That, of course, is nonsense. Ritchie's measure, now in the House
Judiciary Committee, would bring South Carolina's domestic violence
laws into the 21st century. It will be a shame if it fails again.
Augusta Chronicle 
CC News Times 
Augusta.com 
Augusta Real Estate 
Augusta Autos 
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