By Rose Ewing
October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. But is domestic violence and teen dating violence really a public health problem that affects our community? In 2023, the Beaufort County Sheriff’s department made 379 arrests for domestic violence. In South Carolina during that same year, 37 people lost their lives to domestic violence, one of which was a 22-year-old Beaufort County resident.
How does domestic violence hurt one’s physical health?
Hearing and seeing domestic violence can affect a child’s sense of basic trust and security. In addition to ending lives, committing violence on a loved one or accepting abusive behavior in a relationship can influence children and teens to mimic that behavior in their own lives, leading to a cycle of abuse. Other consequences and symptoms of children and teens who are exposed to domestic violence include: violent behavior toward adults, children, and animals; temper tantrums; truancy; physical health issues such as headaches and stomach problems; substance use; trouble concentrating; and difficulty going to school or being separate from the parent receiving the abuse. Other children may identify with the aggressor and develop a lack of respect for that parent or their own intimate partner.
It is a fact that 1 in 4 women and 1 in 7 men will experience physical, verbal, or emotional violence by an intimate partner in their lifetime.
To better combat this preventable public health issue and raise awareness of the problem of domestic violence and teen dating violence, Hopeful Horizons is hosting three significant events in the community to mark October being Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
Upcoming events in the community include:
- To kick off DVAM early, on Friday, Sept. 13, the Beaufort High School Eagles football game will have a Domestic Violence Awareness Night. The game starts at 7:30 pm. Facts about domestic violence and intimate partner violence will be read throughout the night. At half-time at approximately 8 p.m., a short moment of silence will be taken on the field to remember all the Beaufort County residents who were affected by domestic violence in the last year and recognize the Beaufort County Sheriff’s office for the 379 arrests they made in 2023.
- On Saturday, Sept. 28, Hopeful Horizons will host Race4Love, a 3kwalk/5k run held annually to boost awareness of sexual violence, raise money to help survivors and remember the two Beaufort County Sheriffs deputies who were killed during a mid-day domestic violence call in 2002. For more information on Race4Love, see www.Race4Love.com.
- During the month of October, Hopeful Horizons will display the Silent Witness Project in all six Beaufort County libraries. Displayed on wedding dresses will be the names of those killed in South Carolina the previous year during domestic violence incidents. The exhibits’ aim is to remember those who were murdered in acts of domestic violence; raise awareness about the extent of domestic violence in our community; and connect people with local resources to help end intimate partner violence & abuse in their lives. For more information about the Silent Witness Project, call 843-379-6174.
