Newcomb Institute Research Informs Governor Landry’s $7 Million Commitment to Fund Domestic Violence Services

A few months ago, Governor Landry sustained a commitment of $7 million from his office for domestic violence services, with hope for continued funding provided through the 2025 Regular Legislative session. Newcomb Institute’s 2023 research from LaVEX, a statewide survey on violence experiences and mental health impacts in Louisiana, found that half of all Louisiana adults have experienced domestic violence in their lifetime and this violence has economic costs on the state exceeding $10 billion annually. The study also finds that women suffer the high-risk consequences of this violence more than men, with 1 in 4 women compared to about 1 in 18 men having experienced life-threatening violence from a partner.  

The LaVEX study offered first of its kind insights to provide population-level estimates on physical violence and confirmed that Louisianans regularly experience physical and sexual violence, providing important implications for state programs and policies.

Anita Raj, Ph.D., Executive Director of Newcomb Institute and a faculty member of the Celia Scott Weatherhead School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine at Tulane University, led the LaVEX study and is conducting another round of this research for 2025.  

“Most victims never formally report the abuse, suggesting that criminal justice responses to perpetration may not be useful as a means of addressing violence,” said Raj. “Health and social welfare services, such as conflict resolution training and support services for families and youth, may be a better means of serving victims and preventing perpetration.”  

Raj and her team at Newcomb Institute credit their partnerships with the United Way of Southeast Louisiana and the Louisiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence for ensuring that the research findings reached the governor’s office and could be used for policy decisions that support women in Louisiana.  

“We can provide the research, but it is the exceptional community partners we have that are able to bring that research to policymakers for impact. We are lucky to have Governor Landry and policymakers from across the political aisles who value our research,” said Raj.