Who: Mayor Daniel Rickenmann, Leah Wicevic, Executive Director for Sistercare, City of Columbia Police Chief Skip Holbrook, and Shannon Nix, Associate Director for SC Coalition Against Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault

What: The City of Columbia will kick off Domestic Violence Awareness Month on Monday, October 5, with a press conference recognizing the importance of community awareness, prevention and support for survivors of domestic violence while celebrating Sistercare’s 45 years of service to the Midlands.

The press conference will also highlight the City of Columbia’s 20th Annual Mayor’s Campaign Against Domestic Violence, an annual effort dedicated to raising awareness about domestic violence and supporting the life-changing work of Sistercare.

For 45 years, Sistercare has worked to reduce the occurrence and impact of domestic violence in the Midlands by providing survivors and their children with critical services, including emergency shelter, housing programs, counseling, community-based advocacy, court advocacy, legal representation, health services advocacy and prevention education.

When: Monday, October 5, 2026 at 9:00 a.m.

Where: Finlay Park, 930 Laurel Street, Columbia, SC 29201