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South Carolina's silent victims of domestic violence during 2013 are represented in the halls of Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort. South Carolina ranks number one in women killed by their male partners.

Photo by Cpl. Sarah Cherry

Silent victims of domestic violence speak in death

12 Dec 2014 | Cpl. Sarah Cherry The Official United States Marine Corps Public Website

In the behavioral health branch hall of Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort stand cutouts representing South Carolina’s silent victims of domestic violence throughout 2013.

“If you look down this hall and read these stories, you’ll see the stories of people you know; mother, brother, next door neighbor,” said Ginny Westcott, Family Advocacy Program prevention trainer.

There were 46 people killed by their partner in South Carolina in 2013. Of the victims, 38 were female and eight were male.

“South Carolina ranks number one in the nation for women killed by their male partners,” said Westcott. “Our numbers for the Tri-Command are holding steady, not going down.”

Domestic violence includes intimidation, physical and sexual assault, and emotional abuse. Violence within family units can impact any community and individual regardless of race, gender or orientation.

“It’s something we need to recognize as a military community,” said Westcott. “We don’t want to see any of our military family listed.”

The state of South Carolina implanted the S.T.O.P. Violence Against Women program to prosecute domestic violence and train related government entities on causes, consequences and laws regarding domestic violence.

The Marine Corps and the Air Station have a variety of resources to help prevent and confront domestic violence, including resources that victims may contact anonymously if they choose. These include the family advocacy program, Marine Corps Family Team Building and military OneSource.
Service members are invited to walk through the behavioral health branch hallway to read the stories of victims.

For more information call 228-6126.