A school principal was charged with Criminal Domestic Violence after forcing himself into an ex girlfriend’s apartment looking for his watch. The principal is 56 years old, and the victim is 47 and female. The principal left the scene after neighbors and the alleged victim called the police and was arrested in his car off the premises. The principal was put on leave and has not been at his school. He may lose his job depending on the outcome of the investigation. No other information regarding the victim was available. Other than the charge and arrest, no other outcomes (or convictions) have occurred. Article may be found at http://tinyurl.com/az62sdu

While South Carolina is one of the highest states for Domestic Violence, articles on single cases were difficult to find. Many articles found were regarding walks and legislature for domestic violence (articles about ceremonies for large groups of victims without justice were also found).


South Carolina distinguishes between two types of Domestic Violence.
    The first is known as Criminal Domestic Violence (CDV). People are guilty of CDV if they cause physical harm or injury to a family member, or attempt to cause them harm. If found guilty of CDV there  are 3 different outcomes based on the number of offenses the person has had. The first offense is a misdemeanor with no more than a $1,000 fine or imprisonment for no more than 30 days. The second offense is also a misdemeanor with a fine at least $2500 but no more than $5000 and imprisonment for at least 30 days, maximum of one year. The third offense (if both other offenses happened within the last 10 years) is a felony with one year imprisonment and a maximum of 5 year imprisonment.
    The second type of domestic violence is known as Criminal Domestic Violence High and Aggravated Nature (CDVHAN). This occurs when a person commits assault and battery with the use of a deadly weapon that ends in serious injury or a person commits an assault (with or without battery) that causes the victim to fear serious body injury or death. If found guilty of CDVHAN it is a felony with a 1 year imprisonment with a maximum of 10 years.
     For both types of domestic violence spouses, ex spouses, a person with a child with the abuser, male and females who live together or formerly lived together are included under these laws. Pets, same sex couples, and dating couples who don’t live together are not included in this law.
    For victims of domestic violence, South Carolina has a State Office of Victim Assistance (SOVA) which is available to help victims who apply for their services. Services rendered include burial expenses, medical expenses, counseling, lost wages (up to 2/3 average weekly wage up to $15,000) Call (800) 220-5370 to apply. http://tinyurl.com/b9fwotj contains this information.
    Victims of domestic violence may also receive a family court order of protection (a court order protecting a household member (or former household member) from abuse or the threat of abuse). Petitions for court orders can be found at www.judicial.state.sc.us/forms/pdf/SCCA422.pdf http://tinyurl.com/b9fwotj contains this information.
    Victims of domestic violence are also able to be granted a divorce based on physical cruelty. A single act of violence is not sufficient for a divorce, but divorce may be granted if violence that endangers the life, limb or health of the victim and it makes cohabitation unsafe. http://tinyurl.com/b9fwotj contains this information.
    Victims of domestic violence may call the National Domestic Violence Hotline:  1-800-799-SAFE (7233) and the National Sexual Assault Hotline: 1.800.656.HOPE (4673) for free confidential help. A list of shelters and safe houses that are available in every county in South Carolina is available here http://tinyurl.com/a5lqu69.
   
Several media documentations have been made concerning domestic violence these include books such as The Verbally Abusive Relationship: How to recognize it and how to respond which may be found at http://tinyurl.com/ao7rsxb,  It Could Happen To Anyone: Why Battered Women Stay found at http://tinyurl.com/b8q36j2 and Why Does He Do That?: Inside the Minds of Angry and Controlling Men found at http://tinyurl.com/a2gur3j.  Songs such as Never Again- Nickelback found at http://youtu.be/hYXb0ZqKucA, Gunpowder and Lead-Miranda Lambert  found at http://youtu.be/yyGAvulgWmw, and Face down- The red jumpsuit apparatus found at http://youtu.be/6Ux6SlOE9Qk all showcase violence. And a  movie which showcases domestic violence is Enough (2002) found on netflix http://tinyurl.com/a7vm6gf. T.V. shows which frequently showcase domestic violence include Law and Order, Law and Order:SVU, Law and Order:Criminal Intent, and Criminal Minds.