| New legislation cracks down on domestic abuse |
| New legislation is aimed at cracking down
on domestic abusers. Today, Governor Mark Sanford signed a bill into law strengthening South Carolina's domestic violence statutes. The bill was passed by the legislature last session. Under the new law high and aggravated criminal domestic violence is elevated from a misdemeanor to a felony. The same is done with attempted violence. It also means stiffer penalties and mandatory jail times for abusers. Governor Mark Sanford says the bill is the product of years of work and is a step forward, "...unfortunately what it addresses is frankly an epidemic...what we have in South Carolina is an epidemic when it comes to criminal violence." Officials say there are about 35-thousand cases of domestic abuse in the state each year and last year 46 victims were killed. The law take effect January first of next year. |