Shreveport Grapples with Uptick in Domestic Homicide Cases
Shreveport, a city currently grappling with an uptick in domestic violence homicides, has seen a distressing increase in such cases within the first two months of 2024, making domestic violence one of the single greatest threats to the community, according to experts.
Rise in Domestic Violence Homicides
Three domestic violence homicides have been reported in Shreveport in just two months this year, suggesting an unnerving trend. Comparatively, a total of eight domestic violence homicides were reported in the whole of the previous year.
“What’s crucial to understand is that before a situation escalates into a domestic violence homicide, there have often been previous occurrences of domestic violence,” says Britney Green, a representative of Caddo Parish District Attorney’s Office.
Statistics reveal that one in three women or teens is likely to become a victim of some form of violence in their lifetime. This sobering revelation underscores the gravity of the issue at hand.
Understanding the Root Cause
“Domestic violence occurs not because someone loves excessively and simply cannot handle their emotions. It happens because someone lacks the understanding of how to channel their emotions in a positive manner. Fundamentally, power and control are at the heart of it,” states Green.
Currently, Louisiana stands at #5 nationally in terms of domestic homicides. However, the assiduous work of the DA’s office and Shreveport police in confronting these cases has shown some promising results, with an increase in the successful prosecution of offenders, a fact highlighted by Angela Henderson, the executive director at Project Celebration.
Identifying and Addressing Domestic Abuse
Significantly, domestic abuse is not always physical. Often, it manifests in the form of quick involvement, isolation, name-calling, and controlling behavior, points out the executive director at Project Celebration.
While 85% of abusers are men, women also comprise 15% of the abuser population, creating a deeply pervasive issue. A common misconception is the idea that victims can simply walk away from an abusive situation.
“Questioning why the victim does not simply leave is overly simplistic and rather inappropriate. A more pertinent question would be why isn’t the abuser ceasing to abuse the victim. Or better yet, why isn’t the abuser seeking help?” Henderson asserts.
Anybody who finds themselves in a precarious home situation or knows someone who is a victim of domestic violence is strongly urged to reach out for immediate help at a domestic violence hotline.