Sierra Landry was a young, beautiful 18 year-old girl with dreams to become a model after high school. At the time, Sierra had been in an intimate relationship with Tanner Crolley, who was also 18 years old. Sierra’s parents described their relationship as “toxic” from the beginning, and remember Crolley being controlling, physically and emotionally abusive, and even harassing and stalking Sierra on a daily basis. After breaking up with him in December of 2013, Crolley began threatening Sierra and her family, continuously calling and harassing them. Two weeks later on December 30, 2013, Crolley shot Sierra in a stranger’s yard, killing her. In her honor, we hope to pass Sierra's Law.

Sierra's Law would protect teenagers in South Carolina from abusive relationships by allowing them to acquire orders of protection. Sierra's Law will also hold abusers legally accountable and implement teen dating violence education programs in schools. Unfortunately, South Carolina is known for its high domestic violence rates. If this bill is passed, this cycle of violence can be cut at the source, starting with our youth. 

Here's who Sierra's Law can benefit: 

• Minors who are 16 years of age or older
• Parents or legal guardians of those under the age of 16 can acquire an order of protection for their children
• Those who are part of the LGBTQ+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer community) 

The bill will also:

• Put abusers on a public registry for communities and the state
• Won’t allow abusers to be eligible for pre-trial even when combined with any other charges
• Won't be able to get bail, bond, or have the crime expunged from their record 
• Create teen dating violence education programs within SC schools