Louisiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence (LCADV) - $50,000
Louisiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence (LCADV) is working to protect survivors of domestic violence and child abuse who have been displaced by Hurricane Katrina. Because of the hurricane, all direct services for survivors of domestic violence in the gulf coast region have been suspended. Several women’s shelters have been completely destroyed; others were forced to evacuate. The thousands of women and children who were in those shelters require urgent assistance.
Compounding the situation is the fact that domestic violence rates increase significantly in the wake of disaster, as abusers react to their own trauma with violence and a vain attempt to reassert control in the face of chaos and loss (which we have seen and responded to in Sri Lanka through our Tsunami relief efforts).
The LCADV reports that many women are afraid to register with the Red Cross for fear that their batterers will use the registry to find them. And the LCADV has received reports that women are being battered by their partners in the emergency shelters set up since the hurricane. LCADV is accepting donations that are earmarked to assist battered hurricane survivors and their children. Funds will be used to:
Relocate domestic violence survivors displaced by the hurricane.
Purchase basic necessities, such as baby formula, food, diapers, and clothing.
Pay for medical treatment and prescription medications.
Pay for car repairs, gas, and public transportation to bring women and their children to safe housing in other communities.
For more information on LCADV, please visit their Website at www.lcadv.org.
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