SHREVEPORT, La. (KSLA) – October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month and the Caddo Parish District Attorney’s Office is raising awareness, collecting resources and providing support.

The prosecutor’s office says its mission is to protect victims and hold offenders accountable.

Domestic violence chief Britney Green says domestic violence is a major crisis in every community because it makes homes unsafe.

“Violence in homes makes homes unsafe and we can’t have safe communities if we don’t have safe homes,” she said.

The DA’s office works year-round with advocacy groups such as the Family Justice Center and Project Celebration to raise funds and awareness about this issue. Other projects include the Purple Box campaign, where they work with Caddo Libraries to collect hygiene and household items, and the Kick Against Domestic Violence kickball tournament, where law enforcement and community organizations collect fund for survivors of domestic violence.

For people facing the criminal justice system, Green says they have victim advocates to go to court with survivors and provide further support.

“For each victim, especially victims of domestic violence, they can assign them a victim assistance coordinator. These victim assistance coordinators are able to attend court with survivors, they are able to provide guidance and facilitate counseling.

Green has a long personal history of working on these types of cases, dating back to the beginning of his legal career. She explained one of her previous cases:

“That day the perpetrator was found not guilty and that day changed my whole view of domestic violence and what victims go through, with how difficult it is to hold those who hurt people accountable people they should love.”

Green says people should educate themselves about the dynamics of domestic violence so they can recognize if someone needs help.

“When we take the time to research and dig deeper into the problem and really understand what’s happening within the perimeters of domestic violence, then when we learn of abuse, when someone experiences that, then our response will encourage victims come forward.

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