Louisiana

State Overview

State Summary

Louisiana's domestic abuse battery law includes only opposite-sex partners who are currently living, or have previously lived, in the same residence. The state is NIBRS-certified and currently 23 law enforcement agencies submit incident-based data to the Louisiana Commission on Law Enforcement and approximately 10 agencies are testing incident-based reporting systems. Agencies not submitting incident-based data do not provide any information on domestic or sexual assault incidents. The Commission provides data upon request.

State Projects

• Domestic Violence in the African American Community
  As part of the Safe Havens initiative funded through the Department of Justice's Office of Violence Against Women, Rainbow Research is working with the Institute for Domestic Violence in the African American Community to explore the extent to which African Americans, Native Americans and other people of color utilize supervised visitation programs in four distinct communities-Anadarko, OK; New Orleans, LA; Queens, NY and Zuni, NM-as well as review the culturally appropriate practices of these programs.



• President's Family Justice Center Initiative
  The PFJCI is a pilot program administered by the Office on Violence Against Women that has awarded more than $20 million to 15 communities across the country for the planning, development, and establishment of comprehensive domestic violence victim service and support centers. The goal of the PFJCI is to make a victim's search for help and justice more efficient and effective by bringing professionals who provide an array of services together under one roof. The Family Justice Center of Ouachita Parish provides services from a variety of on-site partners.

Available Reports

General Crime

• Louisiana Commission on Law Enforcement. (2006).  2004 crime in Louisiana.

Domestic Violence

• Governor's Office on Women's Policy. (Annual). Annual report.
• National Network to End Domestic Violence. (2008). Domestic violence counts 07: Executive summary for Louisiana.
• National Network to End Domestic Violence. (2007). Domestic violence counts: Executive summary for Louisiana.

Sexual Assault

• Louisiana Foundation Against Sexual Assault. (Annual). Annual report.
• Kilpatrick, D. G. and Ruggiero, K. J. (2004).  One in eight: Rape in Louisiana.

Sample Data Collection Forms

The Crime Victims Reparations Board collects information from victims applying for compensation using this form:

•  Crime Victim Compensation Program Application

Available Data

Domestic Violence

• Louisiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence. (Annual). Statistics reported to Office of Women's Policy Family Violence Programs.

Links to State Agencies and Resources

• Louisiana Commission on Law Enforcement
• Louisiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence
• Louisiana Foundation Against Sexual Assault
• Governor's Office on Women's Policy
• New Orleans Family Justice Center
• Family Justice Center of Ouachita Parish