Recent News:  ADOPT-A-ROOM Project at Iris Kicks Off 

Contact Jane Schoen at jschoen@stopdv.org or 389-3002

March, 2018

Iris Domestic Violence Center names Monica Alfred as Community Outreach And Education Director (COED). 

Monica Alfred has been named Community Outreach and Education Director (COED) for Iris Domestic Violence Center.  Iris created the COED position to emphasize a more concentrated focus on "preventing" domestic abuse and relationship violence in 2018 as opposed to serving survivors.  Ms. Alfred, as  COED, will be providing public information presentations about domestic abuse as well as concentrated training exercises to individuals and organizations seeking to learn about the dangers of domestic abuse.   While Iris will continue to serve the victims of domestic violence and strive to provide the support needed to empower those who are already victims and seeking assistance, we believe the fight to end domestic abuse requires that we expand our efforts to provide more public information about the problems and dynamics of domestic violence and the services available through Iris. 

Iris will make educating the public on the problems of domestic abuse a greater priority in 2018.  It is our hope to inform indivduals about the dangers of domestic violence before they become victims.  Presentations on the signs of domestic violence, what you should look for, how to respond to a friend, family member or coworker who you suspect is being abused and what services and assistance are available, can be of great help in preventing a further increase in the number of victims.  The prevention of domestic abuse and relationship violence can only be achieved if people know what it is - how to spot it - how it can arise in your life - and what you can do to prevent it from claiming additional victims. 

Since initiating the program, presentations have been made by Ms. Alfred and Iris Executive Director John J. Price to the freshman and sophomore class at Southern University, instructors with the LSU Dept. of Agriculture and to staff social workers at Woman's Hospital.  Presentations have also been made to the Professional Insurance Agents of Baton Rouge and health fairs at both MckInley High School and Woodlawn High School.  In April, a more extensive training on the nature of domestic violence and the role of mental health professionals is scheduled at Capital Area Human Services. 

It is anticipated that the public, folliwing the roll out of our new Iris website in May, will be able to view a sample of the training presentations being offered, select which one(s) that they are interested in seeing and schedule the event and date directly online by simply following a menu offering of the selected programs. 

Programs and trainings will be made available by Iris on a variety of topics ranging from a basic "DV 101" presentation to more individualized programs tailored to meet a specific situation or topic about which a group may be interested. For more information on our outreach program, please contact Monica Alfred at 389-3002 or email her at malfred@stopdv.org. 

Jane Schoen named Director of Development for Iris Domestic Violence Center.

Jane Schoen has been appointed Director of Development for Iris Domestic Violence Center.  Ms. Schoen, who joined Iris last year, is working to coordinate both the Donor and Volunteer groups at Iris.  Ms. Schoen helped manage the recent Iris Adopt a Family Christmas program this past holiday season which was an overwhelming success as a total of 48 families were adopted and received Christmas gifts and presents through the generosity of our community. 

Under Ms. Schoen's leadership, Iris is busy working to better organize and coordinate the donor giving program in 2018.  The donations received by the Iris safe house shelter during the Christmas holidays were particularly special and came from the many generous followers of Iris who support our programs and the work we do in the fight against domestic abuse.   Those same donations are badly needed by Iris throughout the entire year and having a development director will go a long way to ensure that we are doing all we can to assist those wishing to make a donation to Iris and make the process simple and user friendly.  In addition to maintaining the indivdiual donor base for Iris, as Director of Development, Ms. Schoen will also establish relationships with local businesses, groups and organizations as part of a corporate giving program.  Jane will be a wonderful asset for Iris for years to come.   

OCTOBER IS DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AWARENESS MONTH 

55 Domestic Violence Fatalities In Louisiana September, 2015 – August, 2016

Take Back the Night

Louisiana Domestic Violence Fatality List, 2016

August, 2016

Click here for a Messaged from the ED on the 2016 Historic Flooding in Louisiana

Louisiana: Critical Personal Protection Legislation for Domestic ...

Domestic violence advocates push for more funds, laws - Story

The 22nd Annual IRIS CHEF SHOW OFF - CANCELLED as of 2/1/2017

This event has been cancelled and will be re-scheduled in 2018. 

WAFB Interview with Lynne Medley-Long announcing the 20th Annual Women's Chef Show Off, March 26th at the Belle of Baton Rouge Casino.

http://www.wafb.com/clip/11198437/community-women-chefs-show-off

Take the #50ShadesofGreen challenge and support   .

http://www.brstar.org/

    Week is March 8th - 14th!

I'll organize an activity or event, like an awareness event or local fundraiser!

I'd like to attend an event already going on in my area!

February 18, 2015

Stalked: 'I didn't feel like a whole woman, he took so much out of me'

http://www.wafb.com/story/28144495/stalked-i-didnt-feel-like-a-whole-woman-he-took-so-much-out-of-me

January 29, 2015

Public Service Announcent to play Super Bowl Sunday.

http://wvla.m0bl.net/r/22vetw

September 9, 2014
WBRZ2: Domestic homicide on the rise in Louisiana 
The Advocate: Louisiana climbs in the death rate of women at the hands of men

August 18, 2014
The Advocate: EBR prosecutors take new tack in domestic violence prosecutions 

August 14, 2014
FOX44: Vigil highlights new laws against domestic violence
WBRZ2: Domestic violence court to help convicts in Baton Rouge
Dozens gather at Capitol for domestic violence vigil

August 12, 2014
WRKF 89.3: Baton Rouge hosts the Monument Quilt 

June 10, 2014

The Advocate: Officials call for more resources to stop domestic violence
NBC33: Local leaders join mother of murder victim to pledge to stop domestic violence 

June 9, 2014
WAFB9: Local leaders, victim advocates bring attention to domestic violence 

May 8, 2014
NBC33: Local judges consider domestic violence court

April 24, 2014
WAFB9: Local ministry group rolls out fundraiser for benefit of domestic violence center

April 21, 2014
FOX44: Advocates say help is available for domestic violence victims 

April 19, 2014
WBRZ2: Family mourns loss during candlelight vigil 

April 18, 2014
The Advocate: BR Woodworkers Club donates desks to Iris 

April 2014
The Advocate: Slaying victim had warned about danger 

March 30, 2014
The Advocate: Women Chefs' Show Off 

March 28, 2014
The Advocate: Domestic violence topic for Newcomer's Encore 

October 15, 2013
 WAFB Editorial: Domestic Violence Awareness Month

October 14, 2013
The Advocate: "Take Back the Night raises abuse awareness"