New domestic abuse protections under fire for excluding gay couples
New laws to protect victims of domestic violence are under fire in South Carolina, as they don’t protect unmarried same-sex couples.
Protections were ramped up by the bill, including increased penalties for domestic violence offenders who cohabit with the victim.
Despite protecting a specified list of victims, it does not specifically define same-sex couples.
The state Supreme Court has been asked by two attorneys to declare the law unconstitutional.
The request was made on Wednesday, as a court in Richland County refused to protect a woman who was abused by her ex-fianceé.
One of the attorneys, Bakari Sellers, who is a former state representative, confirmed to the WIS that the request has been made.
