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As Louisiana’s federally designated domestic violence coalition, the Louisiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence (LCADV) strongly condemns the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals’ ruling in United States v. Rahimi, which strikes down a federal law prohibiting those subject to a domestic violence protective order from possessing firearms. In its ruling, the Court found that disarming domestic abuse perpetrators, who have been found by a court to pose a credible threat to the safety of their victims, does not “fit within our Nation’s historical tradition of firearm regulation.” This reliance on the historical acceptance of domestic violence recklessly places victims in extreme danger.
While its implications are broad, this decision addresses the constitutionality of only one specific federal statute, 18 USC 922(g)(8). Those with certain domestic violence-related convictions, and those subject to a domestic abuse protection order remain prohibited from possessing firearms under Louisiana state law, which this ruling does not strike down. Further, this ruling does not affect areas outside the jurisdiction of the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals (Texas, Louisiana, and Mississippi).
As we work to analyze the exact impact this ruling will have on victims in Louisiana, we remember the many victims of domestic violence in our state who have been killed by their abuser with a firearm. In 2020, 74% of female victims of intimate partner homicide in Louisiana were killed with firearms. We know that domestic violence and firearms are a deadly combination, and we call on courts and law enforcement across Louisiana to enforce and strengthen Louisiana’s state-level domestic violence firearm prohibitions in light of this ruling.
LCADV remains dedicated to bringing about change in our institutions, laws, politics, attitudes, and beliefs which will allow individuals to live free of violence. Local domestic violence programs across Louisiana remain available to help domestic violence victims find safety and legal protections from abuse. Survivors in need of assistance can contact Louisiana’s statewide domestic violence hotline at 1-888-411-1333, or the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233, for free, confidential support.
2022 marks 40 years since the incorporation of the state’s network of domestic violence advocacy organizations, Louisiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence (LCADV). The anniversary comes at a time when domestic violence is surging across the state, underscoring the importance of the Coalition and its member programs. LCADV is an advocacy organization whose membership consists of organizations, programs, and individuals working to end domestic violence in Louisiana. Its core membership consists of 16 community-based organizations that provide a wide array of services to survivors of domestic violence. The Coalition is also the leading voice for domestic violence advocacy across the state, providing statewide education campaigns, legislative advocacy, and targeted training for professionals.
LCADV will commemorate the milestone with a year-long campaign throughout 2022. Its commemorative events will feature a $40 for 40 giving campaign, several regional pop-up luncheons for domestic violence advocates, an ongoing call for story submissions, and a celebratory banquet in November. “We have a rich history, full of memories and experiences that have shaped the movement to end domestic violence in Louisiana,” said Mariah Wineski, executive director of LCADV. “We celebrate our 40th year in a position of strength and unity. What a wonderful opportunity to reflect on our movement’s history and chart a course for its future.”
Just last month, the Louisiana Legislative Auditor released a report addressing current challenges in Louisiana’s response to domestic violence, many of which the Coalition is actively working to address. The report found insufficient funding for domestic violence services, sporadic enforcement of existing laws to protect victims, and a lack of oversight for services provided to abuse perpetrators, among other deficiencies. “We have so much work to do in order to create a safer environment for Louisiana families,” Wineski said. “We move into the future ready to address these challenges with creativity and commitment.” More information on LCADV’s 40th anniversary, including an interactive timeline of accomplishments and ways to support their work, can be found athttps://lcadv.org/lcadv-celebrates-40-years-of-impact/
Notice is hereby given of the availability of federal funds through the Office on Violence Against Women (OVW) U.S. Department of Justice FY 2021 STOP Violence Against Women Formula Grant Program.
If interested in this competitive opportunity, complete a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOI) to submit your proposal. This form is located on the Louisiana Commission on Law Enforcement (LCLE) website at: http://www.lcle.la.gov/programs/funding.asp
Louisiana’s rate of women murdered by men has continued its slight downward trend but remains significantly higher than the national average, according to a recent national report. The Washington, D.C. based Violence Policy Center released its annual report on female murder victims, When Men Murder Women: An Analysis of Homicide Data, this week. The report reviews female victims killed by male offenders in single victim/single offender incidents and ranks all states from highest rates to lowest. The 2021 report, which analyzes homicides committed in 2019, ranks Louisiana 5th in the nation. The report also reveals that Louisiana’s rate of women murdered by men remains 85% higher than the national average, at 2.18 homicides per 100,000 females.
Louisiana has led the nation in female homicide rates for some time, with the rate increasing steadily from 2011-2017, then beginning to decrease with 2018 and 2019 data. Mariah Wineski, executive director of the Louisiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence, is cautiously optimistic to see two consecutive years of decreasing rates. “After six straight years of increasing female homicide rates, we are certainly encouraged by any decline. However, a rate 85% higher than the national average remains incredibly concerning.”
This is the 24th year that the Violence Policy Center has published When Men Murder Women. Because the report analyzes 2019 data, it does not address potential impacts of COVID-19 and multiple natural disasters on Louisiana’s female homicide rate. The report found that 66% percent of the victims in Louisiana were killed with firearms, higher than the national rate of 58%. The report does not count multiple death incidents or incidents where the perpetrator and victim are of the same sex.
The release of the Violence Policy Center report coincides with Domestic Violence Awareness Month, which takes place each year in October. This year, advocates are holding onto hope that they are beginning to see the results of years of policy changes and efforts to prevent domestic homicides. “We are hopeful that the many changes we’ve made statewide to improve victim services and increase accountability for abusers are beginning to make an impact,” Wineski said. Though advocates are encouraged by this reduction, the statistics remain grim for Louisiana women. “Having the fifth highest rate of women murdered indicates a clear need for more focus on this issue. Preventing these deaths should be a top priority for policymakers. If we hope to see a continued downward trend in homicide rates, our state must expand its investment in ending domestic violence.”
LCADV is excited to share these ads from our statewide campaign, advertising the Louisiana Domestic Violence Hotline. These ads feature dedicated advocates from our member domestic violence programs. These commercials were aired on Cox Communications and A4 Media, major cable networks such as BET, VH1, LMN, Hallmark, Bravo, OWN, Comedy, Oxygen, E!, TLC, and ID! We would like to thank our star advocates and Cox Communications for making this possible!
Baton Rouge, LA — The Louisiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence (LCADV) announced today that it has received funding to promote housing security among domestic violence survivors. The million dollar grant is a broad expansion of a pilot program launched earlier this year. The grant expands LCADV’s Domestic Violence Flexible Housing Assistance Program to every region of the state, hoping to bring statewide impact to an issue all too common among domestic violence victims: homelessness.
Domestic violence and homelessness are closely related. Domestic violence is a leading cause of homelessness for women and children, and the need for safe and affordable housing is one of the most commonly reported concerns for survivors of domestic abuse. A recent study of homeless women with children found that 80% had previously experienced domestic violence. The economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated this problem, with many domestic violence victims having secured safe housing away from their abusers, only to lose their jobs and face eviction as a result of the pandemic.
In its 5-month pilot project earlier this year, the Coalition partnered with 11 domestic violence organizations across the state to provide direct, low-barrier, and flexible housing assistance to domestic violence survivors. The pilot saw over 600 victims secure stable housing, a key step to long-term security. The funds secured this month expand the program into every parish of the state, a move the Coalition hopes will provide safe housing for even more victims in the coming year.
According to advocates, this program’s effectiveness is a result of its unique, flexible approach to housing stability. While many existing housing assistance programs have stringent requirements, income limits, and long lists of unallowable costs, this model prioritizes meeting survivor-defined needs on flexible terms. “Often, the true barrier to a victim’s stable housing is not the rent itself. Sometimes, it’s a functioning vehicle to get to work, childcare while they interview for jobs, or a utility deposit to get the lights turned on,” said Mariah Wineski, executive director of LCADV. “A holistic approach to housing removes whatever the barrier may be, and that is the approach we take with this program.”
The grant was provided by the Louisiana Commission on Law Enforcement through the Justice Reinvestment Initiative, and marks the largest investment of new state funding into domestic violence services in over a decade. Wineski applauded the Commission’s decision, “With this grant, the state of Louisiana has chosen to invest in survivors, and the returns will come quickly. When we prioritize meeting the basic needs of our most vulnerable citizens, our entire state reaps the benefits.”
Louisiana currently ranks 5th in the nation for the rate of women murdered by men, according to an annual report by the Violence Policy Center. Advocates are hopeful that this funding will contribute to a reduction in those homicides. “Domestic violence victims in Louisiana face extraordinary barriers to safety,” Wineski said. “We are thrilled to launch a program that removes some of those barriers.”
Notice is hereby given of the availability of federal funds through the Office on Violence Against Women (OVW) U.S. Department of Justice FY 2020 STOP Violence Against Women Formula Grant Program
If interested in this competitive opportunity, complete a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOI) to submit your proposal. This form is located on the Louisiana Commission on Law Enforcement (LCLE) website at: http://www.lcle.la.gov/programs/funding.asp
Louisiana is no stranger to natural disaster. Each year, the Gulf Coast faces threats of damaging hurricanes, flooding, and tornadoes. Families living in shelter are among the most vulnerable in a natural disaster. Louisiana’s domestic violence shelters are dedicated to keeping survivors safe. When a disaster hits, they do what is necessary to continue providing lifesaving services to survivors of domestic violence.
LCADV’s Domestic Violence Disaster Fund is a dedicated fund that helps Louisiana’s domestic violence shelters keep survivors safe in the face of a natural disaster.
When disaster strikes, the Disaster Fund helps shelters:
evacuate survivors
replace lost food and supplies
make emergency building repairs
cover other necessary disaster-related expenses
You can help domestic violence survivors weather the storm in safety by donating today by clicking here!
In the wake of the recent tragic shooting of two police officers in East Baton Rouge Parish, advocates are expressing concern and highlighting the connection between domestic violence and murders of police officers.
On Sunday, veteran Baton Rouge Police Department officer Lt. Glenn Hutto Jr. was killed in the line of duty, and another officer was critically injured. The suspect, Ronnie Kato, is accused of also killing his girlfriend’s stepfather in a domestic homicide earlier that day.
According to the Louisiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence (LCADV), this type of crime is far too common. Police officers face extreme danger responding to incidents of domestic violence, and many offenders who murder police officers have a long history of domestic violence. Domestic abuse is often an unrecognized red flag in the criminal histories of many who murder police officers and other first responders. In fact, domestic violence calls are the most dangerous type of call for law enforcement officers. A 2015 report by the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund found that domestic violence-related calls represented the highest number of fatal calls for police officers.
Mariah Wineski, executive director of LCADV, says these killings bring to light two major issues: the dangers faced by domestic abuse victims during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the unfortunate connection between domestic violence and murders of police officers. “We are saddened for the families of all victims in this case, and for the entire Baton Rouge community. Domestic violence victims have faced immeasurable challenges in staying safe while navigating this pandemic and the resulting stay-at-home orders. While these orders are necessary for public health, home simply is not a safe place for many people, and unfortunately we have seen violence escalate,” Wineski said.
The Coalition also highlighted the grim statistics linking domestic violence victims and police officers who fall victim to gun violence. An annual report by the Violence Policy Center, When Men Murder Women, ranks Louisiana second in the nation in the number of women murdered by men. Likewise, a 2015 analysis by Everytown for Gun Safety found that Louisiana ranks third in the nation for the rate of police officers killed with firearms.
“In domestic violence cases, officer safety is directly tied to victim safety,” Wineski said, emphasizing the importance of early accountability for domestic violence offenders, and access to safety resources for victims. “To promote officer safety, we must prioritize ending domestic violence, both during and after this pandemic.”
The Louisiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence (LCADV) is a statewide network of programs, organizations, and individuals who share the goal of ending domestic violence in Louisiana. LCADV empowers its members and communities through advocacy, education, resource development, and technical assistance. LCADV is dedicated to bringing about change in our institutions, laws, politics, attitudes, and beliefs which will allow individuals to live free of violence.
Notice is hereby given of the availability of federal funds through the Office of Violence Against Women (OVW), housed in the U.S. Department of Justice, OJP.
The Louisiana Commission on Law Enforcement (LCLE) administers and allocates these funds through the Louisiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence.
The total amount available to the domestic violence programs is $278,424.
If interested in this competitive opportunity:
Complete Notice of Funding Opportunity, application materials and instructions for
submitting proposals may be obtained from the LCLE website (www.lcle.la.gov).
For questions and additional information contact:
Louisiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence
P.O. Box 77308
Baton Rouge, LA 70879
info@lcadv.org
The deadline for submitting is: December 13, 2019.
Proposals will be considered for approval at the March LCLE meeting.
Representatives of agencies under consideration will be required to attend this meeting in order to receive funding.
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