CHARLESTON, S.C. – A series of recent tragedies has renewed scrutiny of Charleston’s handling of domestic violence cases, raising concerns that gaps in the legal system may be leaving victims vulnerable.
South Carolina consistently ranks among the worst states in the U.S. for women killed by men, and Charleston is no exception. Victim advocates argue that lenient sentencing, lack of enforcement, and overwhelmed courts have created conditions where warning signs are missed until it’s too late.
A Troubling Pattern in Charleston
In several high-profile cases, victims had sought help through protective orders and repeated calls to police, but their abusers were able to return to the community with minimal restrictions. One case involved a woman who had contacted authorities multiple times before being fatally attacked in her home.
Advocates say these failures illustrate a system tilted against survivors…