Our Blog
Op-Ed:Hope and Justice for Survivors in the Lowcountry
By Kristin Dubrowski, Chief Executive Officer, Hopeful Horizons
When a survivor of domestic violence or sexual assault comes to us, they’re not just seeking help, they’re seeking safety, stability, and hope. Too often, survivors must choose between remaining in a dangerous situation or sacrificing their home and economic stability to start over.
At Hopeful Horizons, our mission has always been to stand with survivors every step of the way. One key way we do that is through free civil legal services that help keep survivors and their families safe. Our legal team answers questions and represents clients for matters like restraining orders, orders of protection, divorce, custody, and visitation. We also connect clients with other legal resources when needed and provide support and accompaniment to criminal and bond court hearings so that survivors don’t have to face the process alone. These services are often life-saving.
Last year alone, Hopeful Horizons assisted 1,562 victims and survivors of child abuse, domestic violence, and sexual assault across the Lowcountry – including 242 survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault who received our free legal services valued at more than $1.4 million. Each of these numbers represents a person taking their first step toward safety and is a reminder of how vital these services are in our community.
That’s why we are deeply grateful that Hopeful Horizons has been awarded a $500,000 continuation grant from the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office on Violence Against Women through the Legal Assistance for Victims (LAV) Grant Program. This funding, along with support from the South Carolina Bar Foundation, will allow us to continue to provide critical free legal services for survivors across Beaufort, Colleton, Hampton, and Jasper counties.
This investment is more than just a grant, it is a lifeline. With these resources, we will help hundreds of survivors each year access justice and safety that might otherwise remain out of reach. For many, this means finally having someone in their corner, an advocate who can stand beside them in court, explain their options, and help them rebuild their futures.
We’re grateful for the collaboration that helped make this LAV grant possible. Congresswoman Nancy Mace endorsed our application by writing a letter of support to the Department of Justice, helping highlight the urgent need for free civil legal services in the Southern Lowcountry. As a survivor herself, she understands the importance of making sure no victim in our community is overlooked.
At Hopeful Horizons, we believe justice is not a privilege reserved for a few, it’s a right owed to every survivor. This grant allows us to fulfill that promise, one survivor, one family, and one case at a time.
When survivors know they are not alone, and when they have access to justice, safety, and community, they can begin to heal and rebuild. Together, we are creating a Lowcountry where every survivor feels supported.