S.T.O.P. Violence Against Women Program
Services Training Officers and Prosecutors
General Information
Training Information
Join the Office of the Attorney General and the Criminal Justice Academy for a Free, one-day, training on Criminal Domestic Violence. Trainings are geared for Law Enforcement Officers, Judges, Attorneys and Victim Advocates. All trainings are approved for CLE, JCLE, CLEE, and Non-Social Work Hours.
- Training Calendar and Registration
- All Magistrate and Municipal Judges must attend a CDV training in 2007
Silent Witness
- Watch The 2006 Silent Witness Memorial
- The SC Silent Witness Story
- Statistical Review: Domestic Homicides in SC
Law Enforcement, Judges and Prosecutors
- Request a 7th Edition Protocol
- Guide to Centralizing a CDV Court
- Report a 2006 Domestic Violence Homicide
The Federal Violence Against Women Act (1994) was the first National legislation to specifically target Criminal Domestic Violence (CDV) and other abusive behaviors toward women. Through the Violence Against Women Act, a grant was established in the Department of Justice.
The South Carolina Office of the Attorney General established the S.T.O.P. Violence Against Women program in 1996 with monies the VAWA grant provided. Within the program there is a Special Prosecutor, a Program Coordinator and a Technical Assistant.
The primary goal of the S.T.O.P. program is to educate Law Enforcement, Judges and Prosecutors on CDV - its causes, consequences and laws pertaining thereto. Therefore, the Office of the Attorney General through the S.T.O.P. program hosts several trainings throughout the year and across the Palmetto State. Employees of the program quite regularly give speeches at other trainings or seminars in the state, as well.
In addition, the Office hosts an annual Silent Witness ceremony to remember the CDV homicide victims from the preceding year. It is important that the State of South Carolina and the Nation understand what a significant problem Criminal Domestic Violence is to our communities.
Finally, the S.T.O.P. Violence Against Women program acts as a clearinghouse for CDV statistics. The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division graciously provides this office with data necessary to bring to the attention of the public the growing need for strong action against domestic violence.