Baton Rouge, LA – April 29, 2024 – Advocates from across Louisiana will gather at the State Capitol at 9:00 a.m. on Wednesday, May 1st, to encourage legislators to restore funding for domestic violence shelters in the state budget, and to support laws designed to strengthen protections for domestic violence survivors.

This is an annual Day at the Capitol, hosted by the Louisiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence (LCADV). LCADV will have a display table in the Rotunda of the Louisiana State Capitol building from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Advocates and supporters will be speaking with legislators throughout the day to discuss domestic violence in Louisiana and how state funding will affect programs, advocates, and survivors.

On Thursday, the House passed a package of budget bills that restore $7 million in funding for domestic violence shelters. This funding, originally appropriated last year to expand domestic violence shelters and nonresidential services for victims, was cut in Governor Landry’s executive budget. Advocates are hopeful that the final budget will reverse this cut.

“A cut of this magnitude will result in the loss of over 200 shelter beds statewide, and will lead to the elimination of new services, just as they are being established,” said Mariah Wineski, LCADV Executive Director. “It is our hope that the legislature will recognize the urgent need for these services and affirm their commitment to ending domestic violence in Louisiana.”

Louisiana has historically not funded domestic violence shelters with state general funds. A 2021 report from the Louisiana Legislative Auditor found that 90% of funding for domestic violence shelters came from federal sources, and that inconsistent funding contributed to over 2,500 unmet requests for shelter every year. Last year’s $7 million appropriation led to five new domestic violence shelters, six existing shelters expanding capacity, and 11 new outreach offices for nonresidential services. Advocates are hopeful that these services can be sustained, which would require the funding to be appropriated again in this year’s budget.

“The legislature sent a clear message last year by investing in domestic violence services and prioritizing victim safety in the state budget,” said Wineski. “We applaud the House for restoring this funding to the budget this year, and we are hopeful that it will be prioritized through the remainder of the budget process.”

For more information on Domestic Violence Advocacy Day at the Capitol, visit https://www.lcadv.org.