Advocate Initiated Response Program providing resources to domestic violence survivors

NEW ORLEANS (WGNO) — The New Orleans Health Department says domestic violence continues to be a problem in New Orleans.

During Thursday’s city council meeting, the department explained that since 2020, at least 83 people have lost their lives in Orleans Parish to domestic-related violence.

So they’ve teamed up with multiple organizations to help victims before it’s too late, proactively.

“Domestic violence is the number one reason that New Orleanians call 911 for a law enforcement response. By following up with victims later, our intent here is to prevent further escalation of violence in the future,” said Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault program manager Jocelyn Pinkerton.

One such move is the fairly new Advocate-Initiated Response Program.

After a 911 call related to domestic violence comes to the NOPD, the department passes the information to case managers to connect victims with resources.

The program says in 2024 alone, they’ve worked with over 3,500 victims, with only 2% of them declining.

They’ve also noticed that strangulation or choking has increased, so they have worked to provide survivors with information to come in early and get assessed.

“What we all know about strangulation is that it is a possibility for our future homicide survivors. They need to be educated about their medical history and what has happened to their body. Sometimes you won’t be able to see the results of a strangulation after it has occurred,” said New Orleans Family Justice Center Misty Frye.

City council members applauded the initiative, saying they look forward to seeing how they can implement strategies using this data to better help victims.

“Making sure that men and women who’ve been domestically abused are being taken care of, are seen as victims, and getting the help they need is a critical part of what I would argue is not only incredible work, but also making sure the city is a happy, healthier, and better place,” said New Orleans City Council member Joe Giarrusso.

The Advocate-Initiated Response wants victims to know they have numerous resources… Such as housing assistance, attorneys and therapists to help them through tough times. They remind them that they are not alone.

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