International Day of Elimination of Violence Against Women and Girls

Although Louisiana is ranked 31 out of 51 for domestic violence, the state provides few resources for survivors and that failure has contributed to Louisiana having one of the country’s highest rates of domestic violence fatalities. A damning 2021 Louisiana Legislative Auditor report found that on average more than 2600 requests for shelter for domestic violence survivors went unfilled annually from 2015-2020. 

It’s critical to know where our state stands on the issue of domestic violence if we are going to advocate for change. November 25 marks the United Nations’ International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, which is a time to reflect and push for change. This year’s theme is “UNITE. Invest to prevent violence against women and girls.”

Thanks to the efforts of State Representative Delisha Boyd and others in the legislature in 2023, Louisiana did invest in assisting survivors of domestic violence. The state budgeted $7 million in new funds for shelters, which also provide safety planning, legal advocacy, housing assistance, and much more to domestic violence survivors and their children. 

Boyd’s HB 376,  which will become law on August 1, 2024, expands on the state’s protective order registry by requiring domestic violence survivors be put on the registry by the next calendar day. The Louisiana Protective Order Registry is a statewide repository of court orders issued to prohibit domestic abuse, dating violence, stalking, and sexual assault, and is intended to alert first responders, including police and fire departments, to better protect survivors and their children.

Boyd says that there was a sense of urgency from the state legislature concerning her proposed bill during the 2023 regular session. She feels her colleagues recognized the dire situation and were ready to invest in services, and do more for survivors. However, she cautions this is not the time to rest.

“We still have a lot of work to do,” Boyd says. “We need a full circle of available services and that includes police officers and also classifying all domestic violence issues as a priority.” 

State Representative Boyd is right. We can’t rest while there’s so much left to be done. Are you ready to join Lift’s movement and become a volunteer or make a donation? You’re only a click away from taking action.