According to research out of the Violence Poverty Center, South Carolina was once again named one of the highest ranked states for incidences of violence against women in 2016. During that year, 48 women were murdered by men, placing the state in the top 10 for that particular category. Nationwide, black females were disproportionately affected by this type of violence. Firearms were the most commonly used weapon to commit these murders.
Guns are also used in non-fatal incidents of violence against women. According to a study by the Harvard School of Public Health, “hostile gun displays against family members may be more common than gun use in self-defense, [and] hostile gun displays are often acts of domestic violence directed against women.” The U.S. Department of Justice says that women are more likely to be victims of violent crimes committed by intimate partners than men.
In all the United States, 1,809 women were murdered in incidents involving an individual man and individual woman in 2016. Of these victims, 9 out of 10 knew their killer, and more than 60 percent of these women were in intimate relationships with them, married or otherwise. Most of these murders did not happen in conjunction with other serious crimes like robbery or rape. They usually occurred during an argument.
Individuals accused of violent crimes against women can face serious legal consequences. When accused, defendants have the right to legal representation. A lawyer may advise their client on what to say and how to proceed with their case based on the circumstances. In some cases, it may be in the best interest of the client to make a plea agreement, but going to court might be necessary.
