Louisiana faces several challenges in its efforts to address domestic violence, according to a Louisiana Legislative Auditor’s report. In 2017 Louisiana had the second in the highest number of female homicides with more than half killed by an intimate partner. Performance Auditor Kristen Jacobs said adequate shelter for victims is a major issue.
“Like in central Louisiana, like the Rapides, Alexandria area there are no actual shelters with beds, and other types of services such a transportation or legal advocacy are gaps that we have across the state,” said Jacobs.
Louisiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence Executive Director Mariah Wineski said while there are numerous challenges in the state, she said the report highlights the dire.
“If you look at the rate of requests for shelter services that had to be denied over the past several years just because of a lack of resources I think that is a very telling statistic,” said Wineski.
The report found while there is a domestic violence training requirement for law enforcement officers there’s not a requirement for judges and district attorneys.
Jacobs said while the state has added a number of very strong domestic abuse laws however knowledge of the laws and oversight is an issue.
“Just because we have laws on the books doesn’t always mean that they are actually happening in the real world. But I do hope some legislation will come through this next session,” said Jacobs.
Jacobs says the pandemic has only increased pressures and there’s been a significant increase in domestic violence in the state.
To view the full report, click here.
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