A new survey by Tulane University gives more insight into the prevalence of violence in Louisiana. Newcomb Institute Executive Director Dr. Anita Raj led the survey and said the findings were alarming. Of the 1,000 adults surveyed, more than half have been physically or sexually assaulted.
“If you’ve been affected by violence, it’s happening most commonly actually in adolescence and young adulthood but for many their first experience is in childhood,” said Raj.
One in 14 Louisiana adults has experienced physical violence in the past year.
Raj said the nature of the violence differs among genders.
“Males are more likely to experience violence on the street, from strangers. Females are more likely to have it happen at home, and it happens with an intimate partner,” said Raj.
The survey found that 42% of women have experienced physical and/or sexual violence from a partner, with about one in 10 of these women reporting that their partner threatened or harmed them with a gun.
Raj said most researchers can only analyze crime statistics and data, but yet the survey is able to dive deeper, because many crimes, like sexual assault, aren’t always reported. The number is as high as 90% of people who experienced violence never formally reported the assaults.
Findings from the study will be shared at the Louisiana Women’s Policy and Research Commission meeting today in Baton Rouge. Raj hopes policymakers will review the findings and work towards creating initiatives to prevent violent crime.
“Instead of viewing it as a criminal justice issue, really recognizing that it’s a public health and a societal issue,” said Raj.
The study also found that those who are victims of violence reported negative consequences, which include anxiety and depression, thoughts of suicide, and absenteeism.
Another common theme among the findings was gun violence. Raj said about one in five Louisianans have been threatened or harmed with a gun in their lifetime. To read the full report click here.
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