Have you ever been in a relationship where you felt like there was no way out? Have you ever felt scared and lonely in said relationship and wished for a group of supportive women who could lead you to a safer life?

Here in Charleston, the organization Feral State is made up of women who are doing just that. 
Domestic violence, also known as intimate partner violence or IPV, effects 41% of U.S. women. (1) It is likely that this number is underreported considering the difficulties women face from speaking up. Many organizations have put in grueling hours of work towards changing the status quo, yet there still appears to be a long journey ahead in creating systemic change. Despite this, groups like Feral State, founded by Claudia Davis, stand to dismantle systems of oppression and empower resilience after violent relationships. Currently, the group hosts regular self-defense trainings for women of all ages as well as periodic events for female owned small businesses and supporters of all genders to come together and help raise funds. 
I had the opportunity to sit down with Feral’s fearless founder and discover the match that sparked her journey. 

“I've always wanted to help people and, I don't like going to co-ed gyms that much. So, it started a little bit with  me wanting to do a women's gym. And then I got into self-defense.”  She said smiling as she mentioned self-defense. Claudia is a force to be reckoned with. She carries a confidence on her that could be either admirable or terrifying depending on where you stand with her. 
“My favorite saying that I want to get tattooed one day is ‘Do No Harm, Take No Shit’ “
Words to live by, and Claudia does appear to be. She opened up about her personal experiences with traumatic relationships and how it shaped her journey. 

“One of [my exes]  told me to get a hobby.  And I was like, bet. So I got into Muay Thai. And then he got mad at me. I was just like, well, that's what I wanted to do.” She said with no shortage of pride and whit. However, the moment that really propelled Claudia toward the work she is doing now involved total strangers. 

“I was at Pinkie's one night, and then me and my friend were walking to my car. And this girl and her husband stopped us and were like, hey, can I use your phone to call the cops? And [my friend] hands her a phone, and so we walked over to where, like, they were, and the guy was just like, it's really bad in there. And I was like, what the fuck is going on? This guy was beating the shit out of his girlfriend. Like, they were in that house, but you could hear her screaming. And, it  was so heartbreaking. So the cops came,  they didn't ask him to come down. She came down with the dog. And she's like, bloody. The people that call the cops, have the recording of him screaming, ‘I'll fucking kill you.’ Mind you, I find out later, this guy has two domestic violence charges out of Myrtle Beach and a charge for a kilo of meth. And, I mean, [the cops] were just, like, ‘She doesn't want to press charges there’s nothing we can do.’” Claudia told the story with a somber tone.  

We both took a deep breath, giving each other a moment to let it all sink in. This was the breaking point for her. She had seen enough not just in her own life, but happening all around her, and she had to do something to make a difference. 

“I would eventually like to get into advocacy,” she said resolute.  “As far as I know, South Carolina is the only state that doesn't have a non-lethal strangulation law. So, like, if you hit your partner, it’s domestic violence, if you hit them and then strangle them, it's like a higher degree. But, if you just strangle them and don't kill them, there's no actual crime against that.” 

In a state where more than 3 women living in a household is legally considered a brothel, it’s not surprising that the laws stand this way, but Feral State is aiming for change. 

“I'm really excited about the committee that we're doing.  I have Brittany Domingo, Britney Barr, Audra Peeler. Yeah. And then Jeff Miller's going to help with like financial stuff. So we have a good crew. I'm really excited. ” Claudia said with a hopeful candor. “But yeah, I want to do more stuff rather than just self-defense, do like yoga, I’m trying to get more people out, like for financial literacy programs, like,  budgeting, IRAs and savings.”  She also talked about providing mental health services especially for teens. 
“I think we start young and like, just try and tackle youth mental health. Especially if they're getting abused at the home. Because, a lot of times, that's where they're getting abused, and, then, what do they do with their anger?” She explained compassionately. 

Claudia has big dreams for the organization and is very willing to accept help in bringing those dreams to reality. However, managing such a wide reach, even with help, has proved to have its challenges. 
“I've had so many people be like, oh, I can help with this. And I'm just like, yeah, give me your number. And then I haven't had the time to like sit down and be like, oh, who is this person?  And to like give them a task. It's hard. It's hard to manage that.” She admitted. 

Luckily she has a great team of women behind her as well as men. When I asked Claudia how men support the cause she responded insightfully, “Just being safe men. Being a man that women can go to.”
Claudia’s commitment to holistic progress is something that sets her organization apart from others and her deep love for community shines through in all of the work she does. The challenges women are facing when it comes to violence today may seem overwhelming , but knowing that people like Claudia and her team are out there fighting for change make the burden we carry a little less heavy. 

If you’re interested in getting involved, check out Feraltstatechs.com and @feralstatechs on Instagram. 

You can also check them out and support their group along with a lot of great vendors at the Feral State Ghouls Night Out at The Royal American on October 23, 2025 from 8pm - 12 am


References: 
(1) 

1. Leemis RW, Friar N, Khatiwada S, Chen MS, Kresnow M, Smith SG, Caslin S, & Basile KC. (2022). The National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey: 2016/2017 Report on Intimate Partner Violence. Atlanta, GA: National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.