by Leonard Gray – Managing Editor

The increase in violent crime, especially assaults, in St. John the Baptist Parish, suggests two disturbing observations. One, that there simply is more crime; and two, that more assaults which were once never reported to police are now being reported.

No more should victims of domestic violence huddle in the shadows, fearful of their family member. Now, victims have help. They learn they have a voice, and it will be heard.

In one sense, it seems to reflect badly on a communiity to see an increase in assaults. However, when most of them are domestic violence cases, the fact that more are taking a stand and seeking justice shows that fewer are thinking it’s “just us.”

Domestic violence happens in every community, but it will not go away on its own and it will not end unless the cycle of violence is broken and justice done to the abusers.

Support our law enforcement and social service agencies seeking a way to cut domestic violence out of our lives.

LEONARD GRAY is managing editor of L’Observateur.s