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Everyone in South Carolina deserves access to affordable, high-quality reproductive health services that include abortion and ending pregnancy; birth control; prenatal care, birth care and options and postnatal support; and even sterilization. We all deserve the freedom to decide how we live our lives.
In this toolkit you can to find up-to-date reproductive health services in your area, as well as resources and support services for mental health, substance use, youth, LGBTQIA+, sexual assault, food assistance, and more. You will also find ways to speak out for reproductive justice and abortion in South Carolina.
What is reproductive justice and why is it important for South Carolina?
What is reproductive justice and why is it important for South Carolina?
Reproductive justice is the idea that everyone of any age, gender, or sexual identity deserves to have autonomy over their bodies and the freedom to decide how they want to live their lives.
After nearly 50 years, the U.S. Supreme Court reversed Americans’ constitutional right to private abortion with Roe v. Wade — against the wishes of most South Carolinians. 69% of South Carolina voters believe the decision to have an abortion should be left to a woman and her doctor, not up to state lawmakers.
We will not allow politicians to take away South Carolinians’ freedom over our own bodies and families. We must support each other, and we will help each other to ensure that everyone can access abortion, birth control, good healthcare, and real support. This website provides resources and support you can trust.
Resources for Support and Care in South Carolina
Resources for Support and Care in South Carolina
Statewide + National
Abortion & Reproductive Justice Resources
Palmetto State Abortion Fund: secure line: (864) 712-0402 or secure email: palmettostateabortionfund@proton.me (financial, emotional, and logistical support for people seeking abortions from a 100% volunteer run, majority Black, majority woman-led abortion fund in South Carolina)
Repro Legal Helpline and Repro Legal Defense Fund: 844-868-2812, reprolegalhelpline.org, reprolegaldefensefund.org (legal advice line, legal defense and bail fund)
Plan C Pills: plancpills.org/states/south-carolina (resources for self-managed abortion and medication abortion)
Women's Rights and Empowertment Network: https://www.scwren.org (advocacy and lobbying organization for gender justice in South Carolina)
Mental Health Resources
Crisis Hotline: 843-414-2350 or toll-free, 1-800-613-8379
NAMI National Helpline: 1-800-950-6264 (24/7 free, peer-support service)
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255 (24/7 free, confidential support)
Youth Resources
TEENline: 843-747-TEEN (8336)
Child Abuse Hotline National: 1-800-422-4453
Children’s Trust of South Carolina: 803-733-5430 (community support for young parents, home visiting, and services for prevention of child abuse and neglect)
Domestic Violence/Sexual Assault Resources
National Domestic Violence Line: 1-800-799-7233 (24/7 line for men and women)
National Teen Dating Abuse Hotline: 1-866-331-9474
National Human Trafficking Hotline: 1-888-373-9474 or Text HELP or INFO to 233733
National Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-656-4673
Resources for People Experiencing Homelessness
Alston Wilkes Society: 843-312-0178 (8 regional offices with community service programs serving throughout South Carolina)
LGBTQIA+ Resources
The Trevor Project, Trevor Lifeline: 1-866-488-7386 (24/7 hotline)
LGBTQIA+ National Hotline: 1-888-843-4564
Trans Lifeline: 1-877-565-8860
Criminal Justice Resources
The Lotus Alliance: thelotusalliance.com (free doula care and services for birthing people incarcerated in South Carolina)
F.R.E.E. Horry County Bail Fund: call or text (843) 829-0050, email free@horrybailfund.org (community bail fund serving Myrtle Beach area)
South Carolina Victim Assistance Network (SCVAN): 803-705-1200
Charleston, SC
Mental Health Resources
National Alliance of Mental Illness (NAMI) Charleston Area: 843-284-3091
Ralph H. Johnson Veteran Affairs Medical Center: 1-800-273-8255, then Press 1 (24/7 Veterans Crisis Line)
Youth Resources
Darkness to Light: 1-866-367-5444 (empowering adults to prevent child sexual abuse)
Domestic Violence/Sexual Assault Resources
My Sister’s House: 843-744-3242 or toll-free at 1-800-273-4673 (24/7 crisis line)
People Against Rape: 834-745-0144 (24/7 Hotline erving Charleston, Dorchester, Berkeley)
Resources for People Experiencing Homelessness
The Navigation Center: 1-855-355-1200 (Partners w/ 30+ providers to connect people with housing, health and wellness care, and employment)
LGBTQIA+ Resources
We Are Family: 843-637-9379
Substance Use Resources
Tri-County Intergroup of Alcoholics Anonymous: 843-554-2998 - 24/7 hotline
Charleston Drug Treatment Centers: 843-480-9956
Elderly Care Resources
Caring.com: 1-855-968-1689
Ralph H. Johnson Medical Center: 843-577-5011 or toll-free, 1-88-878-6884
24/7 Veterans Crisis Line: 1-800-272-8255, then Press 1
Food, Clothing & Other Resources
Lowcountry Food Bank: 843-747-8146 (Serving the 10 coastal counties of SC through distribution centers in Charleston, Yemassee and Myrtle Beach)
The Salvation Army of Charleston, SC: 843-747-5271 (Serving Dorchester, Berkeley & Charleston)
Columbia, SC
Mental Health Resources
Agape Counseling and Training Services, Inc. 803-779-2777 (counseling for adults, adolescents, and children)
Columbia Area Mental Health Center (CAMHC) Crisis Hotline: 803-898-8888 (24/7 telephone screening and crisis response for people in mental/emotional distress)
United Way 2-1-1: 803-733-5408 or 1-866-892-9211 (24/7 crisis line for Richland, Lexington, Fairfield, Newberry, Calhoun, York and Orangeburg counties)
WM. Jennings Bryan Dorn Veteran Affairs Medical Center: 1-800-273-8255, then Press 1 for 24/7 Veterans Crisis line
Lexington County Community Mental Health Center: 803-996-1500 from 8am-5pm; or 833-364-2274 after-hours (community crisis response)
Mental Illness Recovery Center, Inc.: 803-939-2642 (behavioral health care interventions and support services for people with severe and persistent mental illness)
Youth Resources
Sexual Trauma Services Hotline: 803-771-7273 (24/7 clinical educational, & outreach center, counseling and legal advocacy for sexual abuse/trauma)
Alston Wilkes Society: 803-772-6191 (24/7 supervision and care for at-risk youth)
Domestic Violence/Sexual Assault Resources
Sistercare Crisis Line/Linea de servicio en Español: 803-765-9428 (24/7 service line for women, children families experiencing domestic violence)
Hannah House: 803-771-4357 (transitional housing for women and children, emergency shelter, clothing, food, child care, case management, and referrals)
Pathways to Healing of the Midlands: 803-771-7273 (24/7 Crisis line serving Richland, Lexington, Newberry, Clarendon and Sumter counties)
Resources for People Experiencing Homelessness
Transitions Homeless Center: 803-708-4861, 2025 Main St. Columbia, SC 2901
Hannah House: 803-771-4357
Homelessness No More: 803-602-6379
Columbia Housing Authority: 803-245-3886
Oliver Gospel Mission: 803-254-6470, open 24/7 at 1100 Taylor Street, Columbia, SC
Midlands Mutual Aid: 803-250-1261
SC211: Dial 211 in the Columbia area, or all 803-733-5408 or toll-free 1-866-892-9211 (referrals to local resources including shelter availability)
LGBTQIA+ Resources
Harriet Hancock LGBT Center: 803-771-7713 (HIV education, Interpersonal Violence Task Force, Youth OUTLOUD, Rainbow, Radio, and support programs for the LGBT community, allies, and neighbors)
The Wright Wellness Center: 803-254-6644 (free and confidential HIV/STI testing, Project PrEPlan, HIV Positive Peer Navigation)
Palmetto AIDS Life Support Services: 803-779-7257
Substance Use Resources
Alcoholics Anonymous: 803-254-5301
Lexington/Richland Area Drug and Alcohol Council (LRADAC): 803-726-9300 (prevention, education, intervention, and treatment programs)
Palmetto Behavioral health: 803-296-5010 (day treatment facility for substance abuse)
SCHOPES: 1-844-SC-HOPES (addiction support)
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
Midlands Recovery Center 803-681-0855 (24/7 telephone service; all recovery and family meetings currently held via zoom)
Elderly Care Resources
WM. Jennings Bryan Dorn Veteran Affairs Medical Center: 803-647-5829 or toll-free at 1-88-651-2683 (24/7 Veteran Crisis Line: 1-800-273-8255, then Press 1)
Senior Resources Inc: 803-252-7734 or toll free at 1-866-818-6499 (services and care for seniors who cannot afford to pay for private services)
Food, Clothing and Other Resources
Richland County Meals on Wheels: 803-252-7734 x234 or email ashissias@seniorresourcesinc.org
Harvest Hope Food Bank: 803-254-4432 (emergency food service for anyone in financial crisis, serving Calhoun, Chester, Fairfield, Kershaw, Lexington, Newberry, Orangeburg, Richland, and Saluda counties)
The Salvation Army: 803-748-9964
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
Lexington County SNAP program: 803-785-2278
Richland County SNAP Program: 803-714-7616
Richland County Public Health Department WIC Clinic: 803-576-2940
Lexington County Public Health Department WIC Clinic: 803-785-6550
Criminal Justice Resources
Path 2 Redemption: (803) 291-5664, email Pastor Lester Young at path2redemption515@gmail.com (aftercare assistance for people returning home from incarceration)
Soda City Bail Fund: (803) 602-458 or email SodaCityBail@gmail.com (Community Bail Fund, mission to keep marginalized people out of jail)
Greenville, SC
Mental Health Resources
National Alliance of Mental Illness (NAMI) Greenville: 864-331-3300
Greenville Veteran Affairs Outpatient Clinic: 1-800-273-8255, then Press 1 (24/7 Veterans Crisis Line)
Youth Resources
Safe Harbor: 1-800-291-2139 (serving Greenville, Anderson, Pickens and Oconee counties)
Domestic Violence/Sexual Assault Resources
Safe Harbor: 1-800-291-2139 (24/7 helpline)
Julie Valentine Center: 864-467-3633 (24/7 crisis hotline)
Resources for People Experiencing Homelessness
Pendleton Place: 864-467-3650 (programs that protect, equip and heal vulnerable children, young adults and families)
LGBTQIA+ Resources (see statewide)
Substance Use Resources
Upstate Intergroup of Alcoholics Anonymous 864-233-6454 24/7 hotline
Faces and Voices of Recovery (FAVOR) Greenville: 864-430-1802, (24/7 hotline, support and recovery resources for people affected by substance use)
Food, Clothing & Other Resources
The Salvation Army of Greenville, SC: 864-235-4803 (serving Greenville, Pickens, and Oconee counties)
Harvest Hope Food Bank: 864-281-3995 (serving Greenville and Laurens counties)
Elderly Care Resources
Appalachian Council of Governments, Area Agency of Aging:
Comfort Keepers: 864-641-4274
Greenville Veteran Affairs Outpatient Clinic: 864-299-1600
24/7 Veterans Crisis Line: 1-800-273-8255, the press 1
Criminal Justice Resources
Greenville Tech Returning Citizens Program: (864) 250-8471 or email Sammie.Stroud@gvltec.edu (case management and job training for people transitioning from the criminal justice system)
Sotiera Community Development Corporation: (864) 272-0681 or soteriacdc.org (resources for families and people impacted by incarceration)
Telling your story about abortion and reproductive justice
Telling your story about abortion and reproductive justice
Sharing stories can brings us together. Sharing stories create power. And when it comes to reproductive justice, sharing stories expands access.
We want to uplift your story up so that others in need of the same services feel seen, gain insight, and feel empowered. We recognize the stigma associated with abortion, and the judgement it can bring. We want to challenge these narratives.
If you feel called do so, please share your abortion story by secure, encrypted email:
💌 PalmettoStateAbortionStory@Proton.me
Please do not include any names of people, places/facilities/locations, dates or times in your story. By sharing your story, you are giving your consent to share it on the Palmetto State Abortion Fund's* social media channels such as Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter; and/or other communications.
Here are some tips and tools to record your story
Create the ideal environment
When it’s time to record yourself, you’ll want to find a quiet place with the least amount of background noise. Avoid being near any appliances or windows that would allow outside noise to be heard. Closets and bathrooms are always good options. Once you find a place, surround yourself with pillows to help act as soundproofing or throw a blanket over yourself to help block out any unwanted noises.
Find the right tool or app to record your audio
For recording equipment, your phone will work just fine: iPhones have the Voice Memos app, while Androids have Voice Recorder. If you’d like to download a new app for recording, Rev and Voice Recorder & Audio Editor (Apple and Android) are free and easy to use and share. Simply hold your phone a few inches away from your mouth and hit the “record” button.
If you want to take it one step further to create better sound, use an external microphone or a pair of headphones with a microphone — and simply hold the microphone a few inches from your mouth like you would your phone and hit record.
Try to keep the recording between 15 and 60 seconds
Try writing your story before recording it. On average, a 60 second audio clip is roughly between 160-180 words. You may want to test record a couple times to check for sound quality. As you review the final recording, make sure you have not included names, locations, or dates.
You have control over what story you want to share about abortion. Here are some guidepost questions:
How was your experience ending a pregnancy or accessing abortion? How would you describe it for those who don’t know what it’s like?
How did you decide to have an abortion?
What major emotions and feelings did you experience?
What financial, geographic, or cultural barriers did you face, and how did you navigate them? (do not mention places by name)
What support did you or didn’t you have during your abortion or reproductive experience? How did that impact you? (do not mention people or places by name)
What racial, ethnic, gender, sexual, class, age, immigration, ability, religious, or other identities do you hold, that impacted your abortion or reproductive experience? How did they impact you?
How did politics and laws impact your experience?
Before you had an abortion, what did you think would happen? How did you feel about abortion? What were the messages you received about abortion and reproduction (in your family, upbringing, or society) — and how did they impact you?
How do you feel about your experience with abortion now? What do you know that you didn't before?
[These questions are adapted from We Testify, an organization dedicated to the leadership and representation of people who have abortions. © 2020]
These stories will always remain anonymous, and we will delete all stories on December 31, 2024. You will always have the right to withdraw your story by contacting us by email.
Talking to someone who has experienced abortion
Talking to someone who has experienced abortion
In order to support everyone in South Carolina's freedom to make decisions about our bodies and families, it's important to talk to each other about the realities of pregnancy, abortion, and reproductive justice.
Abortion is safe and, even if banned in a particular state, remains a human right. No abortion should need to be justified or validated. That said, the decision to have an abortion is highly personal and many people prefer to share their experiences only with trusted folks. Additionally, it is very stressful for people who unfortunately are forced to navigate many barriers to abortion like constantly changing and punitive legislation, rules, and court decisions.
When talking to someone about their abortion or reproductive experience, be open and supportive. Consider the guidelines below to talk about abortion with others in an ethical and nonjudgemental way.
DO 👍
Always ask for consent, from a storyteller talking about their personal abortion experience. Be specific and upfront about your motivations for listening (even if it's just curiosity), and how you plan to share the story with other people, if at all.
DON'T 👎
Share abortion stories of others without their consent.
Don't ask abortion providers, abortion funds, or others to share stories that are not theirs to tell.
DO 👍
Be open, respectful, and listen to people with lived experiences of abortion. Also consider highlighting people with different expertise or experience in the abortion space - patients, providers, lawyers, policymakers, researchers, or advocates - who can provide multifaceted, nuanced perspectives.
Do your research and learn about abortion access and care, including who is disproportionately affected by barriers, criminalization, and stigma.
DON'T 👎
Demand information beyond anyone's comfort zone, at any time. Few people are willing to speak about their abortions immediately afterwards — a person's past experience with abortion is still valid.
Don't generalize. Every experience is unique and valid.
Be sensitive and ask questions about the storyteller's identities that might be marginalized, or privileged, and how that may've impacted their abortion experiences.
DO 👍
Ask more generally about the pregnancy and abortion experience. Allow storytellers to provide more broad answers about location, time period, and helpers. Be okay with a storyteller declining a question they feel is too personal.
DON'T 👎
Ask for very specific information about an abortion, such as where and when happened. These details could potentially put the storyteller and those who supported them at risk of criminalization, stigma, or retribution.
DO 👍
Use inclusive language to describe abortion, such as:
gender-neutral language "pregnant people" and "young people"
ending a pregnancy
self-managed abortion, abortion at home, abortion on your own
medication abortion, abortion pills
abortion later in pregnancy
accessing/access to abortion
abortion provider, doctor
people criminalized for abortion
barriers to abortion
"anti-abortion" politics, beliefs, or actions
reproductive justice, reproductive rights, and reproductive health politics, beliefs, actions, movements
DON'T 👎
Use medically inaccurate, outdated, harmful, racist, or gender-exclusive language to describe abortion, such as:
gendered language designed to exclude trans and nonbinary people
coat hanger abortion, back alley abortion, DIY abortion
chemical or medical abortion
illegal abortion, partial-birth abortion, late-term abortion
abortionist
abortion migrants, underground abortion railroad
"pro-life" politics, beliefs, or actions
"pro-choice" politics, beliefs, or actions
abortion reversal (there is no such thing!)
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