Domestic Violence Awareness Conference in New Orleans set to help victims, families

NEW ORLEANS (WGNO) — A conference this weekend will raise awareness of the fight against domestic violence in New Orleans. The goal is to help victims and families.

According to Chief Judge of Civil District Court Nicole Sheppard, “Every year we try to bring awareness to domestic violence. Obviously, domestic violence is recognized in October. We intentionally hold the conference every year in November to remind people that domestic violence happens every day. We have people that are dying in our city.”

Sheppard says the conference is necessary, and the numbers bear this out. According to the New Orleans Health Department, there were over 11,000 incidents called in to the New Orleans Police Department in 2024. “Last year, we had north of 4,000 protective orders that we actually filed in civil district court. North of 3,000 filed in Jefferson Parish, and we also have orders that are issued in our criminal district court,” said Sheppard.

Some of these incidents make headlines, like the 2023 killing of a woman on Mayo Boulevard in New Orleans East or the murder of three children in a fire set by their father on America Street.

Sheppard also says many victims suffer in silence, and getting out of these relationships can be difficult. “It’s very traumatizing, and sometimes it is embarrassing. It’s uncertain, it’s confusing, it’s all these emotions that are coming through. For most of the people that are in domestic violence relationships, stats show that it takes seven times to leave but they love the person. Of course they don’t love the abuse. So, it’s important for family members and friends to know the right words to tell them,” Sheppard said.

The Speak Up domestic violence conference starts Saturday morning at 9:30 at the Georges Auditorium at Dillard University.

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