Part of the mission of Brooke Wilder, through our brand and Off Runway events, is to empower women to shine their most authentic essence; their unique individual beauty, strength, power and gifts. We are focused on uniting community through connection, collaboration and conversation...to shine lights on solutions, on positive momentum on all the beautiful offerings that surround us every day. We are thrilled to be partnering and donating a portion of proceeds to local domestic violence shelter and advocate, Thrive SC.
This past year I met the amazing Mackie Moore, Founder and Director of Thrive SC. THRIVE SC provides short-term and longer-stay transitional housing, cutting-edge services, and holistic resources for women and children survivors of domestic violence, from ALL income levels. THRIVE focuses not only on the immediate needs of safety, but also on the longer-term tools needed for a life of independence and empowerment. Mackie's mission, drive and vision align with our visions of empowerment, support and community. We are proud to be working with and supporting Thrive SC and their growing mission.
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More than three times as many women have died in South Carolina at the hands of current or former lovers than the number of Palmetto State soldiers killed in the Iraq and Afghanistan wars combined.
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More than 300 women were shot, stabbed, strangled, beaten, bludgeoned or burned to death over the past decade by men in South Carolina, dying at a rate of one every 12 days while the state does little to stem the carnage from domestic abuse.
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It’s a staggering toll that for more than 15 years has placed SC among the top 10 states nationally in the rate of women killed by men. Our state topped the list on three occasions, including as recently as last year, a murder rate for women that was more than twice the national average.
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The problem has remained a constant in South Carolina, even as domestic violence rates have tumbled 64% nationwide over the past two decades.
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All 46 counties in SC have at least one animal shelter to care for stray dogs and cats, but the state has only 16 domestic violence shelters. Experts say that just isn’t enough in a state that records approximately 36,000 incidents of domestic abuse every year (NOTE: most cases go unreported)
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More than 380 victims were turned away from shelters around the state between 2012 and 2013 because there was no room, according to the state Department of Social Services.
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SC currently maintains a legal system in which a man can earn five years in prison for abusing his dog but a maximum of just 30 days in jail for beating his wife or girlfriend on a first offense
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In South Carolina, a woman dies from domestic violence every 12 days. Please read this excellent expose’ in Charleston Post & Courier, a 5 part series “Till Death Do Us Part”.
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In 2013, in South Carolina, 83 percent of those murdered in the home were women. Surprisingly, 65% Caucasian, 33% African American, 2% Asian and Latino. Guns were used in 78% of these homicides.
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In the U.S., 25% of high school girls have been abused physically or sexually.
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Approximately 70% of college students say they have been sexually coerced.
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One in three adolescents in the U.S. is a victim of physical, sexual, emotional or verbal abuse from a dating partner, a figure that far exceeds rates of other types of youth violence.
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Females between the ages of 16 and 24 are roughly 3 times more likely than the rest of the population to be abused by an intimate partner.
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Only 1/3 of the teens involved in an abusive relationship confided in someone about the violence.
THE PROBLEM...
THE THRIVE SOLUTION...
THRIVE SC to tackle domestic violence issues and to provide relief, support, and hope for victims who truly want to move forward and desperately need our proactive support. The mission of THRIVE SC is to provide safe, transitional housing, resources, and services for survivors of DV in the Lowcountry and throughout the State. Our goals are:
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1. to equip survivors of violence with the tools necessary to build emotional and financial independence
2. to partner with the communities of SC to educate the public about the epidemic of violence against women and children in our State
3. to teach violence prevention and awareness in schools, colleges, and all public forums
4. to advocate for tougher laws and stricter sentences for perpetrators of domestic abuse.
Additionally, because there is no state or national model for DV facilities and programs, THRIVE SC is developing a BEST PRACTICE STANDARD, to create a definitive way of complying with legal, ethical, health, and Programming requirements.
Currently, THRIVE SC services our tri-county area and is located in Summerville, SC. We are involved in community education and awareness events, public speaking forums in high schools, college campuses, hospitals, service organizations, athletic events, and other social, business, school, media, and civic gatherings to educate individuals and communities about how to identify victims of violence, how to prevent violence, and how to handle a situation in which one suspects violence has occurred.
THRIVE SC offers therapy programs for adults and children, a legal advocacy program, 12 step programs for those who have coped with violence by using drugs and alcohol, assistance with obtaining orders of protection, financial management and “how to live in the real world” courses. THRIVE SC offers and is developing an emergency 911 hotline and an online hotline to protect anonymity and to encourage victims to ask for help, without having to verbalize their issues.
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Plans for Phase II of THRIVE SC, a large transitional housing community for Survivors of DV, is well underway, thanks to a generous donation/long-term lease of 10 acres of land in Huger, SC. A team of professionals has been hard at work developing plans for a new recycled shipping container facility, where Survivors of DV will have privacy, safety, and independence. State of the art programs and services, coupled with ample time to allow healing, rest, and recovery will prepare our clients to begin to rebuild their lives and
become healthy, productive members of society.
THRIVE SC has a solid and transparent financial process with checks and balances to ensure fiscal integrity. Here is a link to their Partners and Board of Directors.
You can get involved and donate directly here on our site, click any of the Thrive images, click the Donate button below (linked directly to Thrive accounts) and/or purchase tickets to our Off Runway event where a portion of proceeds will be donated to Thrive.
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