Overview

Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM) is observed each October. It was first observed in 1987. While outreach campaigns occur year-round, October is when many independent organizations, as well as municipal, state and federal partners, bring heightened attention to domestic violence, including dating violence.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 1 in 3 women and about 1 in 4 men in the United States report having experienced severe physical violence from a partner in their lifetime. This issue impacts people of every gender, and everyone knows someone affected by domestic violence.

Get Help Now

• Domestic violence: If you or someone you know needs help there is a free and confidential hotline that is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Call 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or visit the National Domestic Violence Hotline.
• Sexual assault: If you or someone you know needs help, call 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) or visit the National Sexual Assault Online Hotline.

Dating Violence and Abuse

Dating violence is when someone you are seeing romantically harms you in some way, whether it is physically, sexually, emotionally, or all three. It can happen on a first date, or once you've fallen deeply in love. Dating violence is never your fault. Learn the signs of dating violence or abuse and how to get help.

College Students: If you are looking for on-campus support or resources, please contact your campus Title IX/prevention office, counseling services or Student Health. If you need more help, please call the free national hotlines above or contact local programs below.

Children and Vulnerable Adults: To report known or suspected abuse or neglect of a child or vulnerable adult, call 1-888-CARE4US (1-888-227-3487) or file a report online.

The South Carolina Coalition against Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault also has information for people experiencing domestic violence and their friends or family.

Local Domestic Violence Programs and Shelters

CASA/Family Systems

A private, not-for-profit organization serving Bamberg, Calhoun, and Orangeburg counties, whose primary focus is providing prevention, advocacy, and intervention to individuals and families who have been affected by sexual assault, family violence, and/or child abuse and neglect.
Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Services -Orangeburg, Calhoun, and Bamberg
Admin: (803) 534-2448 | Hotline: (800) 728-7228 or (803) 531-6211

Cumbee Center to Assist Abused Persons

Provides temporary, emergency shelter for survivors of domestic violence and their children for up to 60 days in Aiken, Barnwell and Allendale counties.
Sexual Assault Services are also available in Aiken, Barnwell, Allendale, Edgefield, Saluda, and McCormick counties.
Phone: (803) 649-0480 | Hotline: (803) 641-4162

Family Justice Center

Family Justice Center of Georgetown and Horry counties is a unique collaboration of community partners and agencies working together to provide a safe and welcoming environment for victims of domestic violence in both counties.
Phone: (843) 546-3926 | Hotline: (844) 208-0161

Hopeful Horizons

A children's advocacy, domestic violence and rape crisis center serving Beaufort, Colleton, Hampton, and Jasper counties.
Phone: (843) 770-1074 | Hotline: (843) 770-1070

Laurens County Safe Home

Provides a safe place for victims of domestic violence to find comfort, peace, acceptance, and support while they are rebuilding shattered lives. This service is available in Saluda, Abbeville, and Laurens counties.
Phone: (864) 682-7270 | Hotline: (866) 598-5932

Meg’s House

Provides housing and supportive services that reduce the impact of domestic violence and chronic homelessness in the communities served: McCormick, Edgefield, and Greenwood counties.
Phone: (864) 227-1421 | Hotline: (864) 227-1890

My Sister’s House

Works to break the cycle of domestic violence by providing comprehensive support, services, and education within and beyond the walls of their shelter. Serving Charleston, Berkeley, and Dorchester counties.
Phone: (843) 747-4069 | Hotline: 1-800-273-4673

Pee Dee Coalition Against Domestic & Sexual Assault

A non-profit volunteer organization dedicated to the reduction of sexual assault, family violence, and child abuse and to the needs of its victims. Domestic violence services are available in Florence, Darlington, Marion, Chesterfield, Marlboro, Dillon, and Williamsburg counties. In addition, sexual assault services are available in these same counties and also in Clarendon county.
Phone: (843) 669-4694 | Hotline: 1-800-273-1820

Safe Harbor

Provides a continuum of services to victims of domestic violence and their children; and to eliminate cultural acceptance of domestic violence through a coordinated community response, education, and prevention. Domestic violence services are available in Spartanburg, Cherokee, and Union counties.
Sexual assault services are available in Spartanburg and Cherokee counties.
Phone: (864) 583-9803 | Hotline: 1-800-291-2139

Safe Havens (Pet Shelters)

Provides sheltering services that assist individuals experiencing domestic violence with placing their companion animals out of harm's way so that they may seek safety for themselves as well as their animals.
Search near you for safe havens for pets of individuals who are experiencing domestic violence: safehavensforpets.org

Safe Passage Inc.

Provides free 24-hour emergency shelter, 24-hour crisis line, advocacy, counseling, and other supportive services to victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, and child abuse in York, Chester, Lancaster, and Union counties. 
Phone: (803) 329-3336 | 24 Hour Hotline: (803) 329-2800

Sistercare

Provides trauma-informed services, to advocate for domestic violence survivors and their children, and to promote prevention of domestic violence through community awareness and training. Sistercare is the only organization that offers specialized shelter and support services for survivors of domestic violence and their children in Fairfield, Kershaw, Lexington, Newberry, and Richland counties.
Phone: (803) 926-0505 | 24/7 Crisis Line: (803) 765-9428

YWCA of the Upper Lowlands

They are the first and largest online and mobile searchable directory of domestic violence programs and shelters in the U.S. and Canada, and a leading source of helpful tools and information for people experiencing and working to end domestic violence.

Works to make more people aware of the services available for those experiencing domestic violence and make it faster and easier for victims of domestic violence and their friends/family, as well as program and shelter providers, to quickly find services and information best suited to their location, language and needs.
Domestic Violence Services – Sumter, Lee, and Clarendon
Phone: (803) 773-7158 | Hotline: (803) 775-2763