Survivors of Violence Gather at State Capitol for Lobby Day

Baton Rouge, La. - Over 50 survivors of interpersonal and systemic violence, victims’ loved ones, allies, and representatives of victim advocacy organizations from across the state will gather in Baton Rouge today for the first ever Louisiana Survivors of Violence Lobby Day. Constituents will come together in the State Library to receive advocacy training, hear about the work of community organizations, and build fellowship with one another. The group will be holding space in the rotunda in the afternoon from 2-4 pm to speak with their elected officials about the challenges facing survivors in Louisiana as well as their needs that are often forgotten.

Survivors of Violence Lobby Day participants seek to connect with lawmakers about ways to invest in crime prevention strategies, resources for directly impacted communities, and how to make Louisiana’s Capitol a more trauma-informed and welcoming place to share their stories. Participating organizations include the Promise of Justice Initiative, Louisiana Survivors for Reform, LA Repeal, STAR, Louisiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence, VOTE, New Orleans Family Justice Center, Families Overcoming Injustice, Louisiana Foundation Against Sexual Assault, Silence is Violence, Louisiana Victim Outreach, Moms Demand Action, CHANGE, Crime Survivors NOLA, and East Baton Rouge Parish Prison Reform Coalition. Legislators and press are encouraged to take this opportunity to listen to survivors and include the perspective of directly impacted people when shaping criminal justice reform.

Media Contact:
Katie Hunter-Lowrey, Louisiana Survivors for Reform, 504-535-4912, khunterlowrey@defendla.org