July 22, 2004

PRESS RELEASE

To: Newsroom

For Immediate Release

Contact: Brian A. Crawford, Asst. to the Fire Chief

Phone: 673-6652, cell: 455-2609, page: 675-2137

Fire Department Set to Launch Domestic Violence and Abuse SafeHouse Program

Every year thousands of women and children are the innocent victims of domestic violence and abuse...

Just this month in Shreveport, a woman was killed by her estranged boyfriend at her place of employment. Most of these innocent victims feel they have no place to go and are uncertain where to seek refuge in a crisis. The Shreveport Fire Department in cooperation with the Shreveport Police and local chapters of the YWCA and Gingerbread House, hopes to change that mind-set when they unveil their new domestic violence and abuse SafeHouse program at a press conference next week. By creating the SafeHouse program, the Shreveport Fire Department is removing that obstacle by providing victims a safe and secure place to find refuge and assistance by opening the doors of its 20 fire stations to the victims of domestic violence and abuse. The logistics for that press conference are:

What: Introducing SafeHouse Program

Where: New Central Fire Station, 263 North Common St.

When: Tuesday, July 27, 2004

Time: 10:00 a.m.

Scheduled to Speak: Fire Chief Kelvin Cochran, YWCA Director Roxann Johnson, Gingerbread House Director Jessica Watts, and SPD Detective Rita Caldwell.

Experts theorize that the majority of actual incidents go largely unreported. One of the reasons cited as why victims of abuse fail to leave their situation, is because there is no safe refuge for them to go. The Safehouse program will allow the victims of domestic violence or abuse, including sexual assault, a place of comfort in seeking medical attention and/or law enforcement. Additionally, the program can link them with victim advocate groups, such as the YWCA or Gingerbread House. ###