Survivors, advocates push for domestic violence reforms as Awareness Month begins

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WIS) - As Domestic Violence Awareness Month begins Thursday, a group of survivors and advocates gathered at the South Carolina State House to call for changes they say would better protect victims and their families.

The group is advocating for a series of state and federal reforms, including the creation of a national domestic violence registry, uniform protections across all 50 states and firearm restrictions that would follow convicted domestic abusers across state lines.

Advocates say the goal is to close gaps in protection for survivors and prevent future violence before it turns deadly.

“We are trying to get the holes that are in the laws now filled in instead of adding new laws,” said domestic violence survivor Candace Gilman. “Adding new laws to a broken system is not going to do anything but make it worse.”

According to the South Carolina Coalition Against Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault, more than 30,000 intimate partner violence cases are reported in South Carolina each year, and 59 people were killed in domestic violence homicides in 2024.

Some of the changes advocates are seeking have already been debated at the State House, including proposals to expand domestic violence protections, create a domestic violence offender registry and address coercive control. However, none of those proposals have become law.

Gilman, who says she has experienced domestic violence firsthand, believes stronger protections could help others facing similar situations.

“When you’re in a domestic violence situation, you have nowhere to go, no one to turn to, no help,” Gilman said. “You stay because you’re scared you’re going to lose your children.”

Advocates say they hope Domestic Violence Awareness Month will encourage lawmakers and the public to take a closer look at reforms they believe could strengthen protections for victims and survivors.

If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, help is available 24 hours a day through the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or by texting START to 88788.

Feel more informed, prepared, and connected with WIS. For more free content like this, subscribe to our email newsletter, and download our apps. Have feedback that can help us improve? Click here.