VAWA Helps Bring Services to Victims in Rural Louisiana

(Martinville, LA).  St. Martin Parish is a largely rural community in Louisiana, and is separated in many parts by water.  Prior to July of 2000, services for domestic violence victims were very limited. With assistance from STOP VAWA funds, the New Start Center is now able to provide services such as emergency shelter, legal advocacy, counseling, and safety planning to abused women and their children in this area such as Naomi*.  Naomi was in an abusive marriage for eighteen and half years before she left.  The abuse was both physical and emotional, and had eroded her self-esteem.  Naomi had four children from this marriage, and had no money, no job, and no way to support herself or her family.

Naomi was able to create new life with help from the New Start Center.  Center staff assisted Naomi in filing a petition for a Temporary Restraining Order.  Filing for the order made her feel safe knowing that law enforcement and the judicial system would help protect her from enduring more physical abuse.  At the hearing for the final protective order hearing she was granted a final order that was enforceable for eighteen months.  This eighteen-month period allowed her to begin acquiring new skills and plan for her future.  Naomi came to realize and trust that The New Start Center was there for her. The Center provides a 24-Hour crisis line, educational and support groups, emergency shelter, individual advocacy and counseling, legal services, safety planning, assists with filing protective orders,  and escorts victims to court and hospital when necessary.  Naomi learned with The Center’s help that she had to be a priority so that she could seek training and other assistance that would enable her to find a job that would sustain herself and her children.  Participation in New Start Center support groups helped her to regain her self-esteem.  Sandra now has a job and a place to live independently and free of abuse with her children.

None of this would have been possible without the STOP funds that the New Start Center is privileged to receive.  The funding has been a tremendous help in the delivery of direct services to victims of domestic violence in this rural area of Louisiana.

*Not her real name.