Experts Highlight Domestic Violence Awareness in Wake of Heartbreaking Murder-Suicide

BEAUFORT COUNTY, S.C. – A resident of Bluffton reached out to law enforcement two weeks ago, reporting that her former partner had issued explicit threats to her life. Authorities, however, did not discover sufficient evidence to proceed, and the woman chose not to pursue charges.

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Tragically, last Thursday evening, she and another man were killed by her ex-partner, who later took his own life.

This sequence of events has heightened concerns and prompted a call for vigilance from local domestic violence advocates. Experts emphasize that reporting abuse does not necessarily eliminate the risk.

“When a domestic violence situation or an abusive relationship culminates in homicide or murder-suicide, it represents the most tragic outcome possible,” stated Kristin Dubrowski, CEO of Hopeful Horizons, a nonprofit focused on advocacy for children and providing support for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault.

They said through research and statistics, they know when someone leaves an abusive relationship, it’s the most dangerous time for them.

“75% of domestic violence homicides happen after the person has left the relationship,” said Dubrowski. She also explained that it takes about seven to eight attempts for victims to leave an abusive relationship before they’re successful.

The dynamics of domestic violence are said to be “very complex.”

“A lot of times people who are being harmed in these relationships feel ashamed, and they feel responsible for the abuse, and they may also have a fear of reaching out for help,” said Dubrowski.

It’s extremely difficult for victims to reach out for help, according to the advocacy organization. That’s why they said it’s important for community members, co-workers, friends and family to continue standing by their loved ones navigating abusive situations.

“It’s really hard for people, loved ones, to help their other loved one navigate those situations. And they keep wondering, well, why are they going back? And then they get frustrated, and they give up,” said Dubrowski. “That makes the victim even more isolated, and the victim blames themselves even more. So again, that makes it less likely for them to reach out because they’re feeling embarrassed or feeling ashamed.”

Dubrowski said friends, family, co-workers or community members can reach out to the agency for support or help with assistance.

Victims do, at times, reach out to local law enforcement agencies for assistance or help. Dubrowki said officers act under the law, which often is difficult to enforce unless there is proof or evidence.

“The domestic violence law is very narrow, very limited, focused on physical violence, threats of harm. and, of course, evidence of that,” she said. “You have to be able to prove that those things have happened.”

The agency said that domestic violence is a lot more than threats and physical violence. Dubrowski explained there’s emotional abuse, financial abuse, sexual assault, threats and manipulation.

“To receive services from Hopeful Horizons, you don’t have to involve law enforcement. There are a lot of reasons why folks may not reach out for help, either to an organization like Hopeful Horizons or to law enforcement,” she said. “The violence and abuse and power and control in the relationship doesn’t have to reach what would be considered sort of the legal level of domestic violence or meet the domestic violence statute.”

Hopeful Horizons is able to help with safety planning and lethality assessments. A lethality assessment is where they look at abuse over a relationship time period to determine if there is any likelihood of serious injuries or death.

“[We’re] here to help, no matter what the situation is, if it’s past abuse, a relationship that you may have left, but there’s stalking going on or other threats being made, certainly reach out for help and support. Even if the person is still out of state, things like that can change,” said Dubrowski. “You don’t have to know what you want help with or what you need exactly. When you call, we’ll talk through everything, but it’s important to know that there is help available.”

Hopeful Horizons 24/7 support line: 843-770-1070 or 800-868-2632

Or, to contact them through their website, click here.

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