Silence Is Violence

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5/6 domestic violence press conference

Date: Mon, May. 05, 2008

SilenceIsViolence

and the

Tulane Law School Domestic Violence Clinic

will hold a press conference in collaboration with the Orleans Parish District Attorney

Tuesday, May 6

10:30am

Office of the District Attorney, 1340 Poydras Street, Suite 700

Conference Room

One month ago, a new partnership was launched between SilenceIsViolence and the Tulane Law School Domestic Violence Clinic. On May 6, we will hold a press conference at the Orleans Parish District Attorney’s office in order to confirm the collaboration between the community and the criminal justice system with respect to domestic violence, and to issue more specific policy and public awareness initiatives.

As violent crime continues to terrorize New Orleans, the need for safe and nurturing home environments is more critical than ever. Yet instead of havens for peace, too many New Orleans homes become extensions of outside violence. Domestic violence is rampant in every neighborhood and demographic of New Orleans. In 2007 alone, there were more than 2,532 domestic violence protective orders issued by courts, 3,133 domestic violence arrests, and five domestic violence murders. Violence within the home has ramifications for the surrounding neighborhoods, communities, and city, and for our future safety. Even the seemingly “mildest” cases of domestic violence put victims, their children, and our community as a whole in long-term, systemic, and cyclical danger. While there are many components to strong and consistent public safety, there are few actions that can quickly and definitively affect the murder rate and emergency room visits in our city. A stronger response to domestic violence is one such action.

Keva Landrum-Johnson, the Orleans Parish District Attorney, has been working with SilenceIsViolence and the Tulane Domestic Violence Clinic to identify specific, targeted domestic violence-related reforms within the District Attorney’s office. “It is important for us as a community to address the issue of domestic violence comprehensively," said District Attorney Keva Landrum-Johnson. "From the prosecutorial perspective, my office is working very closely with partnering law enforcement agencies to have these cases screened expeditiously, and we are also working with community agencies to ensure that victims have immediate access to the services they offer.”

Ms. Landrum-Johnson, Baty Landis of SilenceIsViolence, and Tania Tetlow of the Tulane Domestic Violence Clinic will speak on topics including:

• The relationship of domestic violence to the broader public safety of New Orleans

• New resources and policies within the District Attorney’s office targeting domestic violence specifically

• Academic support for updated approaches to domestic violence in the law enforcement and criminal justice systems