One in four suspects in New Orleans domestic homicides in 2021 had previously committed a strangulation, according to a jarring report from the New Orleans Health Department that drew sharp reactions Monday from a City Council committee.
The “Domestic Abuse Fatality Review Report” found that 21 people were killed in domestic violence altercations in the city that year, and 28% of the suspects in those killings had a history of strangulation.
Despite its frequent role in a pattern of escalation demonstrated by abusers, strangulation goes largely unaddressed in the criminal justice system, domestic violence advocates say. Previous health department reports have revealed the vast majority of people arrested for strangulation are not convicted.
The report’s authors, domestic violence project specialist Jennifer Hunt and program manager Jocelyn Pinkerton, presented it to the council’s Criminal Justice Committee. In addition to more funding for family support, de-escalation and education programs, Hunt and Pinkerton encouraged wider use of laws on the books to boost criminal sentences in domestic violence cases involving strangulation, child endangerment and use of a firearm.
In 2021, 62% of domestic homicides involved a firearm, and in more than a third of them, the family included a young child, their report states.
The report also recommends public service campaigns, as well as strangulation training for medics to better identify signs of those injuries. It met with calls for action Monday among council members, who urged greater coordination among responding agencies and stronger punishment.
“The state of Louisiana across the board continues to ignore the severity of domestic violence,” said council member at-large Helena Moreno. “Your report illustrates how lethal these cases can be, particularly if there are cases of strangulation.”
Moreno said the study points to the need to return to a Legislature that lately has only loosened restrictions on gun owners.
“If we never talk about the importance of potential firearm restrictions on domestic violence offenders, there is no opposing side to everyone getting a firearm,” Moreno said.
Council member Eugene Green urged tougher sentences.
“At the end of the day, we have to talk about enhanced penalties,” Green said. “I’m not trying to fill the jails, but I’m also not trying to fill the cemeteries and emergency rooms with people who are defenseless.”
The Health Department will release its report of 2022 domestic violence incidents in March.
People experiencing domestic violence may call (504) 866-9554, a crisis line staffed 24/7, for immediate help.
Original Source: Missy Wilkinson, Nola.com. Click here to view original post!