SCCADVASA

Awareness brings light, but action creates real change. What can you do? Actively support policies that positively impact survivors and the organizations that serve them and be willing to participate in conversations with your families, neighbors, co-workers and faith community that foster safer communities. Together, we can help survivors find hope, healing, and safety.

SCCADVASA Executive Director Sara Barber recently spoke with SC Public Radio’s Kristina Thacker about the critical role of prevention in ending domestic and sexual violence, and the importance of having conversations with our kids about healthy relationships.

🎧 Listen now: https://www.southcarolinapublicradio.org/show/narrative/2026-10-22/narrative-preventing-dating-abuse-and-violence-among-south-carolinas-youth

Domestic violence is a serious issue in every community with harmful and long-lasting impacts on individuals, families, and entire communities for generations. Domestic Violence Awareness Month ( ) may be ending this week, but we all have a continued role in creating safer communities where survivors feel seen, heard, and supported. Together, we can help light the way to safety, hope, and healing for survivors of domestic violence.

Trauma affects everyone differently and there is no single way to respond to sexual assault. A survivor may struggle to understand what happened or need time before they feel ready to talk about it and this should not determine their credibility.

When we believe and support survivors we help create a culture of safety and healing. When we minimize, blame or question why they waited to come forward, we create further harm and reinforce expectations about how a survivor “should” behave.

If you have experienced sexual assault, help is available whenever you are ready to reach out. Visit sccadvasa.org/get-help to find support near you.

➡️ Read more: https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/sexual-assault-survivors-stories-may-shift-over-time-doesnt-mean-theyre-lying

On Saturday, our team joined City of Columbia Government Mayor Daniel Rickenmann, SCCADVASA member organizations, and other community partners at the Mayor’s Walk Against Domestic Violence. SCCADVASA Associate Director Shannon Nix spoke at the event which benefited Sistercare and aimed to raise awareness of the devastating impact of domestic violence on our communities and the resources available to support survivors.

To every survivor: your strength, courage, and resilience shine bright. If you or someone you know is experiencing abuse, help is available near you. Visit sccadvasa.org/get-help to find 24/7 survivor support and resources in your community.

Tune in tonight at 8pm on South Carolina ETV!

"SCETV Safe Space" examines domestic violence and healthy relationships in new episode “Love Shouldn’t Hurt” | South Carolina ETV South Carolina ETV and Public Radio (SCETV) announces the premiere of the latest episode of SCETV Safe Space, the award-winning program focused on youth mental health. Titled “Love Shouldn’t Hurt,” the new 30-minute episode premieres Oct. 22 at 8 p.m. on ETV. The episode examines domestic viol...

💜 You’ve shown up for survivors this month. Thank you.

Whether you joined Porch Lights, supported us at Ziggy’s Pub's ZiggFest, wore purple, or shared our message, you’ve helped light the way.

Today is Domestic Violence Awareness Month’s Day of Giving. As The National Network to End Domestic Violence (NNEDV) has shared, domestic violence organizations nationwide are facing federal funding delays. Community support matters.

Your gift to SCCADVASA supports advocacy, collaboration, and prevention education that strengthen organizations serving survivors and help build a safer South Carolina.

There’s still time to give this month. If you’ve already contributed, thank you for standing with survivors.

💜 Make a gift: https://givebutter.com/2026-sccadvasa-porch-lights-campaign-fvy38m

Yesterday, SCCADVASA Program Director for Systems Advocacy and Office Administration Charity Collier joined City of Columbia Government Mayor Daniel Rickenmann and Sistercare Executive Director Leah Wicevic at a city council presentation officially proclaiming October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

We are grateful for the city’s continued support and commitment to raising awareness of the community impact of domestic violence. 💜