Sharing Her Story: A Savannah woman pushes for change in the system after alleged abuser granted bond

SAVANNAH, Ga. (WTOC) - With Domestic Violence Awareness Month just weeks away, a Chatham County woman is sharing her story in hopes of sparking change.

Janay Rivers says her alleged abuser was recently granted bond by a Judge — despite a long history of protective orders and arrests.

Janay Rivers says her ex, Shariff Marion, abused and stalked her for years — even though a protective order was in place.

“Because I know what comes behind it — the stalking, the harassment, the calling my job, showing up to my job... he stops at no bounds,” said Rivers.

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and it’s on the top of Janay’s mind; She is speaking out — not just for herself, but for many other survivors she says are being affected by the system.

Marion has been arrested 21 times in Chatham County since 1999, according to his jail records. A judge recently granted him bond — despite prior probation violations and multiple protective orders filed against him, filed by different women.

According to Chatham County court records, 5 other women, aside from Rivers, have filed for or were granted protective orders against Marion or good behavior bonds.

If you are a victim of violence, you can file a petition for a temporary protective order. These restrain the accused person from harassing, stalking, or threatening the physical safety of the petitioner.

TPO’s are filed with the Superior Court Clerk’s Office as a civil matter.

You can get one of these through Safe Shelter.

This is how it works in Chatham County specifically.

Good behavior bonds look to keep the peace between 2 parties, and away from one another.

Those documents are filed with the Magistrate Court-- and also a civil matter.

Savannah Police shares some clarity regarding TPO’s and their system as officers:

Temporary Protective Orders (TPOs) should be entered into the Georgia Crime Information Center (GCIC) and the National Crime Information Center (NCIC). When an officer runs a person’s name associated with a TPO, the TPO should “return” to the officer.  
Officers can also access a TPO if the victim informs the officer of it, or through the REsearch GA website which is the public facing court records website.  TPO’s are accessed via the public facing side of the REsearch GA once it has been filed with the court and uploaded by the Clerk of Court.
Savannah Police

“Sometimes, even if a victim does pursue it, it still slips through the cracks,” said Rivers. “Now we’re still walking around the city with our abusers right across the street.”

District Attorney Shalena Cook Jones says, “Crime accountability is like a machine, with different gears and different moving parts, and all of those parts need to work together.“

DA Jones also says the survivor is a gear in that machine too. Full and timely participation is key.

“We need to have all of these parties at the table collectively, to have these collaborative conversations — that’s the only way it works,” said Cook-Jones.

“We can’t let this keep going on — as a community, as a city, as a state with laws," said Rivers. " Repeat offenders should not be out, especially for violent crimes. I almost died.”

Janay’s goal is not just survival — but to stop the cycle.

“We think it’s over — it’s never over,“ said Rivers. ”Because as soon as my case closes, another woman’s case is open.”

She encourages other women to speak out about abuse, to bring up a bigger community conversation.

Through his attorney, Shariff Marion has pleaded not guilty and maintains his innocence. He is due back in court on October 28.