An Important Conversation on Domestic Violence
Domestic violence most often comes to our attention when it becomes deadly. In South Carolina, the femicide rate (in which a woman is murdered by a man) is often over twice the national average. In every year that records have been kept, South Carolina ranks in the top ten states in the nation in the rate of women killed by men. In terms of homicide rate per 100,000 females, South Carolina ranked sixth in the nation for domestic violence this year, according to a report released by the Violence Policy Center with data collected from 2016. (Violence Policy Center)
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Last year to close out Domestic Violence Awareness Month, I had the opportunity to have a front seat to a needed and necessary conversation around the topic. Kiwan N. Fitch Webster, founder of EmPOWERed Connections, brought together a dynamic group of women for Monday Night Live: Domestic Violence Awareness
Kiwan N. Fitch is an Entrepreneur, Published Author of 4 books, Motivational Speaker, Producer, Playwright, Mentor, Wife, Mother and More. In 2015 Kiwan founded EmPOWERed Connections – a 501c3 Social Service organization that serves women and families in the Midlands and Beyond. EmPOWERed Connections opened a Woman’s EmPOWERment Resource Center (WERC) in Columbia SC in Fall of 2017. Currently this agency has assisted over 200 women with EmPOWERment, support, clinical counseling, food, clothing, and a host of other needs.
Dr. Vanessa Guyton is an Executive Trainer, Advocate, and President of Women of Distinction Network who created the HUSH No More Movement that brings awareness to HUSH Topics in our community.
Ashley Thomas is the Founder and Executive Director of The Hive Community Circle – a faith based community organization that provides victim services to historically under-served survivors of sexual assault and intimate partner violence.
Tamika L. Sims is an Author Coach who helps ordinary people do extraordinary things with words. Tamika learned more than 10 years ago, the power of sharing her story through publishing her debut novel, The Plus Factor. Now, as a full-time entrepreneur, Tamika has helped almost 100 authors, write, release and publish their stories.
Tina D. Torres is a a Planner, Coordinator, Promoter and Survivor. What doesn’t kill you definitely makes you stronger. Dynamic entrepreneur Tina Torres, owner of SHE DID THAT!, is living proof of this. Originally from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Tina is a survivor. She is a child witness to domestic violence, a victim of childhood sexual assault, a dating violence survivor and grew up to raise three daughters as a single parent. Tina knows what it takes and has the wherewithal to make it happen. She’s successfully been able to transition from living in a domestic violence shelter to receiving a brand new home through Habitat for Humanity. Tina knows what it is to pull yourself up by your bootstraps when life knocks you down.