How to Give

Domestic violence often leaves victims feeling unheard, but Jessica’s story is giving a voice not only to her memory but to so many others living in silence.

Now is the time for lawmakers to act. Jessica Barnes’ story is a heartbreaking example of what can happen when warning signs are missed.

Her family’s fight for tougher laws in South Carolina gives me hope that things will change. Strangulation isn’t a warning—it’s a crime that needs to be treated that way."

Strangulation is often overlooked, but it’s one of the clearest signs that an abuser is willing to kill.

Having worked in law enforcement for 15 years, I can say with certainty that South Carolina needs stricter laws and better tools for officers to intervene.