Reporting Stalking to South Carolina Officials
Every hotline, state agency, and court resource you need to report stalking in South Carolina.
In danger now? Call 911 · National DV Hotline 1-800-799-7233 · Crisis Line 988
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How to use this guide
This guide covers statewide South Carolina resources: the government agencies, hotlines, and courts that serve every county. Each section also tells you how to find the right local office near you.
Start here: South Carolina law requires courts to waive the filing fee for a harassment or stalking restraining order — it's free by statute.
Before you call: have your documentation ready — dates, what happened, any messages or photos saved, and whether a report has already been filed elsewhere.
If you're in danger: call 911 first. Every other number in this guide is for follow-up support, not emergency response.
Emergency & Immediate Danger
Emergency — Police, Fire, Medical
911
Call if you are in immediate danger, right now.
SC State Law Enforcement Division (SLED)
803-737-9000
Can support local agencies on serious or cross-jurisdiction cases.
SC Highway Patrol (find your local troop)
Via scdps.sc.gov
For non-emergency matters and general information.
Can't speak safely? In areas where Text-to-911 is supported, you can text instead of calling — check with your mobile carrier for coverage in your county.
South Carolina — Statewide Agencies
SC Attorney General — Dept. of Crime Victims Compensation
803-734-1900
Covers medical, counseling, and lost-wage expenses for victims of violent crime.
dcvc.sc.gov ↗SC Governor's Office — Division of Victims Assistance
1-800-220-5370
Information, referrals, and victim rights support statewide.
governor.sc.gov ↗SC Courts — Restraining Order Forms
Via sccourts.org
Form SCCA/749, for Harassment or Stalking — no filing fee by law.
sccourts.org ↗Reporting to Local Police & Sheriffs
Stalking is usually reported to the police department in the city where you live or work, or to your county sheriff outside city limits.
Your local police department (non-emergency line)
Dial 911, or search “[your city] police non-emergency”
Stalking can be reported at any city police department or county sheriff's office.
Your county sheriff's office
Varies by county
Primary law enforcement in unincorporated parts of South Carolina.
Your Magistrate's Court
Find yours via sccourts.org
File a Restraining Order for Harassment or Stalking — no filing fee, and it's enforceable statewide for one year.
Good to know: you can file a report at any police department, not only the one nearest the stalker. Ask for the officer's name, a complaint or case number, and how to follow up.
Restraining Orders for Harassment or Stalking
What it is: a civil order from Magistrate's Court requiring a pattern of harassment or stalking to be proven, available to any petitioner.
Duration: orders are issued for one year and are enforceable throughout South Carolina.
No SSN required: state law says you cannot be required to disclose your Social Security number to seek this order.
The hearing
Both parties appear, and the judge decides based on the evidence — written statements alone aren't accepted.
Step-by-Step: What to Expect
Filing a Police Report
- 1Go to any police department or county sheriff's office — you do not have to go to the one nearest the stalker.
- 2Ask to speak with an officer and say clearly that you want to report stalking or harassment.
- 3Bring your documentation: dates, messages, photos, and names of any witnesses.
- 4Ask for the report's complaint number before you leave, and request a copy if possible.
- 5Ask about victim assistance resources — many departments have a victim advocate or can refer you to the Division of Victims Assistance.
Getting a Protective Order
- 1Go to the Magistrate's Court in your county and ask for Form SCCA/749, for a Harassment or Stalking restraining order.
- 2Document every instance of threat, stalking, or harassment with dates and details before you file — written statements alone aren't accepted as evidence.
- 3File the complaint and motion; the court cannot charge a filing fee.
- 4Both you and the stalker will appear in court, where the judge decides if there's enough evidence.
- 5If granted, the order lasts one year and is enforceable statewide — keep a copy with you, at home, and at work.
Specialized Support
SC DSS Abuse and Neglect Hotline
1-888-227-3487
1-888-CARE4US · 24/7, statewide — one number covers both child abuse and vulnerable adult abuse. Reports can be anonymous.
Quick-Reference Contact Sheet
| Agency | Phone | Scope |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency — Police, Fire, Medical | 911 | Emergency |
| SC State Law Enforcement Division (SLED) | 803-737-9000 | Emergency |
| SC Highway Patrol (find your local troop) | Via scdps.sc.gov | Emergency |
| SC Attorney General — Dept. of Crime Victims Compensation | 803-734-1900 | Statewide |
| SC Governor's Office — Division of Victims Assistance | 1-800-220-5370 | Statewide |
| SC Courts — Restraining Order Forms | Via sccourts.org | Statewide |
| SC DSS Abuse and Neglect Hotline | 1-888-227-3487 | Specialized |
Frequently Asked Questions — Reporting Stalking in South Carolina
How do I report stalking in South Carolina?
If you are in immediate danger, call 911. Otherwise, file a report with your local police department or county sheriff's office — you do not have to go to the one nearest the stalker. Bring dates, messages, photos, and witness names, and ask for the complaint or case number before you leave.
What should I do first if I think I'm being stalked in South Carolina?
Stop engaging and start documenting. Save every message, call log, and screenshot with dates and times, and keep a written log of each incident. Then report it to local law enforcement using the contacts in this guide, and call 911 any time you are in immediate danger.
How do I get a protective order in South Carolina?
What it is: a civil order from Magistrate's Court requiring a pattern of harassment or stalking to be proven, available to any petitioner. Duration: orders are issued for one year and are enforceable throughout South Carolina. No SSN required: state law says you cannot be required to disclose your Social Security number to seek this order.
Is there a fee to file a protective order in South Carolina?
Filing fees vary by court in South Carolina, but many protection-order petitions for stalking victims are free or fee-waived. The court listed in this guide can confirm the current fee before you file.
Can I get financial help for stalking-related costs in South Carolina?
Yes — South Carolina has a victim compensation program that may help cover medical, counseling, and lost-wage costs. Contact SC Attorney General — Dept. of Crime Victims Compensation at 803-734-1900.
What counts as stalking under South Carolina law?
Stalking is a repeated pattern of unwanted conduct — following you, repeated calls, texts, or messages, showing up uninvited, tracking your location, or making threats — that would cause a reasonable person to fear for their safety. In South Carolina, a protective order is generally available regardless of your relationship to the stalker.
Can I report stalking in South Carolina if the stalker lives in another state?
Yes. File the report where you live or where the stalking occurred. If the behavior crosses state lines, tell the officer — some cases may involve cross-jurisdiction or federal enforcement.
Can I report stalking anonymously in South Carolina?
You can submit tips anonymously through statewide hotlines, and many child and adult abuse hotlines accept anonymous reports. For a criminal case, your name may need to appear on the report — ask the agency about its confidentiality policy.
What evidence should I save when reporting stalking in South Carolina?
Save every message, email, voicemail, screenshot, and call log with dates and times; keep a written incident log; and note any witnesses. Back everything up to a secure location the stalker cannot access.
Where can I download the printable South Carolina reporting guide?
You can download the free South Carolina reporting guide as a PDF at https://www.stalking.org/Stalking.org-Reporting-to-South-Carolina-Officials.pdf. It includes every phone number and court contact in one printable sheet.
Disclaimer
The information on Stalking.org is provided for general informational and educational purposes only. It is not legal advice, medical advice, or mental-health advice, and it does not create an attorney-client or other professional relationship. If you are in immediate danger, call 911 (United States) or your local emergency number — Stalking.org is not a crisis hotline. Laws and platform policies change frequently, so always consult a qualified attorney, law enforcement officer, or licensed professional about your specific situation.
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