In recent years, South Carolina has gained a reputation as one of the most perilous states for women—especially for Black women. High rates of intimate partner violence, firearm homicides, and hate crimes converge to create a uniquely hostile environment. This article unpacks the data, compares national disparities, and explores the systemic roots fueling this crisis.
Alarming Domestic Violence Fatalities
According to the 2023 South Carolina Domestic Violence Fatality Report, 30 individuals were murdered by a household member; 24 of those victims were women (80%). Racial breakdown shows that 63% of victims were Black women, far higher than Black people representing roughly one-third of South Carolina’s population. This means Black women are significantly overrepresented in domestic homicide cases.
Firearm Violence: A Devastating Multiplier
Firearms play a central role in these fatalities. The same report found guns were used in 90% of domestic homicides. Corroborating data from Johns Hopkins notes that Black women in South Carolina face firearm homicide rates four times higher than their white counterparts. This fatal intersection of race, gender, and firearm access places Black women in immediate danger.
The Gendered and Racial Gap: Nation‑Level Comparisons
National trends further amplify the danger faced by Black women. The Violence Policy Center’s 2017 data shows Black women are murdered by men at a rate of 2.55 per 100,000—more than double the 1.13 rate among white women. In South Carolina, that disparity is stark: in 2018, Black female murder victims were killed at nearly three times the rate of white women (2.85 vs. 1.03 per 100,000).
Intimate Partner Violence: A Lethal Threat
South Carolina consistently ranks in the top tier of states where women are killed by male partners. In 2016, the state was sixth-highest nationally for women killed by men. Earlier data from 2013 showed South Carolina leading the nation for relationship-related murders, with 57 women killed—roughly one death every 12 days. And racial breakdown of nearly equal numbers of Black and White female victims underscores the disproportionate toll on Black women.
Hate Crimes and Racial Terror
The Black women of South Carolina also face threats from hate-fueled violence. This includes landmark cases like the 1978 murder of Betty Gardner—a Black woman brutally tortured and murdered by white perpetrators who carved “KKK” into her body—and the 2015 Charleston church shooting, a racially motivated attack that ended with nine Black worshippers dead. These events are stark reminders of the enduring legacy of racial hatred.
Policy Gaps Fuel Ongoing Risk
A number of policy weaknesses exacerbate the violence:
- South Carolina remains one of only two states without state-level hate crime legislation.
- Although a 2015 law barred convicted domestic abusers from possessing guns, enforcement and reach are limited.
- There is inconsistent availability of domestic violence resources: for example, Horry County only recently began constructing its first domestic violence shelter.
Black women—who often contend with added barriers like economic hardship, lower access to legal support, and systemic bias—frequently fall through the cracks in the absence of targeted policy protection.
Healthcare & Broader Structural Inequities
Beyond violence, South Carolina’s systemic inequities disproportionately harm Black women’s well‑being. For instance, Black women in the state suffer a 40% higher death rate from breast cancer than white women. Although not all violence-related, these health disparities reflect a broader pattern of racial neglect that exacerbates vulnerability and limits resilience.
Grassroots Resilience & Recommendations
Despite the grim statistics, advocates and communities are fighting back:
- Nonprofits like SCCADVASA and Safe Harbor push for comprehensive policy reform and better resource allocation.
- Funding for shelters—such as the $1.5M grant for Horry/Georgetown counties—illustrates growing grassroots momentum.
- National pressure is increasing for hate crime legislation and more robust domestic violence protocols, though political barriers remain.
Conclusion
The convergence of race, gender, firearms, and policy gaps makes South Carolina alarmingly lethal for Black women. Domestic homicide rates, firearm violence, hate crimes, and structural barriers compound into a perfect storm. Addressing this crisis demands:
- Stronger enforcement of firearm restrictions for abusers.
- Expansion of shelters, legal aid, and culturally competent advocacy services.
- Passage of state hate crime legislation.
- Investment in health and prevention services tailored for Black women.
Without targeted, multi‑layered interventions, South Carolina will continue to rank among the deadliest states for Black women. Confronting this reality is not just a matter of data—it is a matter of justice, humanity, and the moral imperative to ensure safety for all.