§ 46:2121 — Statement of purpose

Louisiana § 46:2121

• Jurisdiction: Louisiana
• Title 46: Public Welfare and Assistance

Text

§2121. Statement of purpose
A. The legislature hereby finds and declares that there is a present and growing need
to develop innovative strategies and services which will reduce and treat the trauma of family
violence. Available studies documenting police statistics indicate that thousands of persons
in this state are regularly beaten, tortured, and, in many cases, killed by spouses or persons
with whom they are living in a primary relationship. These studies further indicate that
victims of family violence come from all socioeconomic classes and ethnic groups, though
it is the poor who suffer most from family violence, since it is less likely that they have
immediate access to private counseling and shelter for themselves and their children.
Children, though often not physically assaulted, suffer deep and lasting emotional effects,
and it is most often the children of those parents who commit family violence that perpetuate
the cycle by abusing their spouses.
B. The legislature further finds and declares that there is a high incidence of deaths
and injuries sustained by law enforcement officers in the handling of domestic disturbances.
A definite correlation between family violence and marital homicide has been established,
yet police arrests for family violence are low, and victims are reluctant to press charges.
Furthermore, instances of family violence are considered to be the single most unreported
crime in the state.
C. It is the intention of the legislature to achieve a reduction in serious and fatal
injuries to the victims of family violence and to clarify the problems, causes, and remediation
of family violence by providing the necessary services including shelter, counseling, and
referrals to social services, medical care, and legal assistance in the form of a family violence
center.

Legislative History

Added by Acts 1979, No. 746, §1; Acts 2018, No. 206, §5.