By Julieta Barcaglioni, Greenville Shelter Counselor, Safe Harbor

Domestic violence is defined as a pattern of physical, psychological or sexual abuse, threats, intimidation, isolation or economic coercion used by one person to exert power and control over another person in the context of an intimate relationship. 

Domestic violence is a devastating reality in our communities and in our world today. Domestic violence affects 1 in every 4 women in the United States. A case is reported every minute in this country, and it is estimated that a woman is abused every 9 seconds. Also, statistics show that domestic violence is the main cause of injury to women – more than car accidents, muggings and rapes combined.  

Domestic violence is just as serious and prevalent in the Hispanic community as it is with other racial and ethnic groups.  Like other victims, Hispanic victims face important internal and external barriers to leave an abusive relationship. These barriers include: hope that the abuser will change or that the abuse will stop, embarrassment or shame, financial dependence on the abuser, fear of emotional and physical retaliation if they leave, lack of supportive relationships, hopelessness, and guilt – among many others. Read the rest of this entry »

by Rebecca Callaham, Executive Director, Safe Harbor

From the Greenville News – August 8, 2010

Jessica Anderson. Natasha Kerns. Christine Crane: Three women who lost their lives this summer in Greenville County. Not to an illness, cancer or a horrible accident. Each one lost her life because the man who was supposed to love her allegedly took it from her. Each one silenced forever by domestic violence.

In South Carolina, where we promote family values and Southern hospitality, we are literally loving each other to death. South Carolina ranked No. 8 last year for the number of women killed by men. The previous year, South Carolina ranked No. 2. This is hardly an improvement, as South Carolina has consistently ranked in the Top 10.

According to the S.C. Department of Public Safety, Greenville County ranks No. 1 in the state for family violence victimization, No. 2 for domestic violence victimization, No. 2 for domestic violence aggravated assault and No. 2 for domestic violence simple assault. Read the rest of this entry »

by Julie Meredith, Director of Volunteers & Communication, Safe Harbor

Faith communities and churches provide a social network for individuals and families, comfort for the grieving, hope for those who are depressed, redemption for sinners, and care for the sick.  When a church member is diagnosed with cancer, he/she is upheld in the prayers of the congregation and supported with encouraging cards.  When a family in the church loses a loved one, church members bring meals and send flowers.  In many churches, support groups and counseling are available for people who are dealing with addictions, grief, divorce, or other concerns.

But, what kind of support does a person receive from her congregation when she reveals that she is being abused by her spouse or partner?  After working at Safe Harbor for the past two years, I honestly cannot answer this question.  It is difficult to know what a victim of domestic violence might experience when she turns to her congregation for help.  I have learned that the kind of support that a victim receives tends to vary from congregation to congregation.  Congregational support for victims depends on the congregation’s leadership, its membership, its theology and beliefs, and its understanding of domestic violence.

Here are the stories of two victims: Read the rest of this entry »

The Bird & Baby Theatre Company Partners with Safe Harbor to Raise Awareness about Domestic Violence

This August, The Bird & Baby Theatre Company of Greer is producing The Few Lilies Project, a benefit for Safe Harbor. The Few Lilies Project exists to promote awareness of the issue of domestic violence and raise money for Safe Harbor. Through the theatre production and the accompanying art exhibit, the audience will be confronted with the issue in a unique way, and will be provided with the opportunity to contribute additional funds, above the initial ticket price, directly to Safe Harbor.

The theatre production consists of Arlene Hutton’s I Dream Before I Take the Stand, and a series of monologues written by local playwright Anne Pecaro.  Anne interviewed survivors of domestic violence, turning their stories into monologues. Read the rest of this entry »

“Domestic violence speaks many languages, has many colors and lives in many different communities.”
- Sandra Pupatello

Welcome to our blog!  Safe Harbor is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing safe shelter, counseling, legal advocacy, and other services for victims of domestic violence and their children in the upstate of South Carolina.  We also offer outreach and education concerning the issue of domestic violence throughout the four-county area that we serve – Greenville, Anderson, Oconee, and Pickens Counties. 

Safe Harbor is excited to have the opportunity to use this blog to expand our outreach services to victims and to further educate our community about Safe Harbor’s mission and services.  We will use this blog to discuss the issue of family violence and related topics, to share news about Safe Harbor programs and upcoming events, and to share stories of hope and inspiration.  Read the rest of this entry »