Sexual Assault: A Statewide Epidemic, But What's Being Done?

South Carolina's Department of Public Health has been awarded a $925,389 grant from the United States Department of Justice's Office on Violence Against Women to support sexual assault survivors. The grant will cover two years and aims to provide services to those affected by sexual assault, increase awareness about sexual violence in underserved communities, and support rape crisis centers. Sexual violence remains a prevalent issue among South Carolinians, crossing borders of gender, race, age, ethnicity, sexual orientation, and socioeconomic status. The grant will provide resources for rape crisis centers in Berkeley, Charleston, and Dorchester counties, as well as other areas of the state. The grant is a start, but it's just that – a start. We need to keep pushing for change, for awareness, and for support. We need to keep talking about this issue, keep pushing for change, and keep supporting those who have been affected. So, what's being done? It's up to us to take it further.