Advocates against domestic violence pleading to lawmakers for more money to help support victims [Video]

BATON ROUGE – The Louisiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence spoke to lawmakers Wednesday in hope legislators would include money in the state’s budget for domestic violence shelters and other related programs.

For years, shelters and other programs have suffered from a lack of resources. In 2021, the Legislative Auditor released a report stating over 2,500 requests for shelter went unmet every year. Louisiana is currently ranked fifth highest in the nation when it comes to domestic violence against women.

It wasn’t until last year shelters and related programs received $7 million from the state to help support domestic violence survivors.

“We’ve been able to increase programming for children who are exposed to domestic violence at all of the programs across the state,” Executive Director of LCADV Mariah Wineski said.

Wineski said they were also able to increase legal services counseling services to help survivors overcome the abuse they’ve experienced.

While …