BATON ROUGE — The call comes in. A woman screaming on the other end, children crying in the background, a man yelling. It’s a scene law enforcement has responded to far too many times. Domestic violence is one of the most frequent — and most dangerous — calls law enforcement faces.
But what happens after the flashing lights fade, after the abuser is arrested, and the paperwork is filed?
Too often, one former officer says, the cycle starts again.
“When we go back to the same home weeks or months later, it’s discouraging,” Todd Morris, Chief of the St. George Police Department admitted. “You ask yourself, ‘Why is she back in this situation again?’ But you have to push through the frustration and show compassion. These women — and sometimes men — feel like they have nowhere else to turn. They need to see a path to a better life.”
Morris worked at the East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Office, most recently as a major, and has investigated and responded to numerous domestic violence calls over his career.
According to the National Domestic Violence Hotline, victims return to their abusers an average of seven times before leaving for good. Fear of financial instability, housing, threats, children, and emotional manipulation often keeps victims in the cycle.
What Happens When Police Respond to Domestic Violence
When officers arrive on the scene of a suspected domestic violence incident, the priority is safety — for the victim, any children involved, and for themselves.
“All domestic violence calls are unique,” said Chief Morris. “You’re dealing with someone who often feels trapped — financially, emotionally, and physically. Many victims rely on their abuser for housing, transportation, or even their basic needs. That dependency is one of the biggest hurdles to escaping the cycle of abuse.”
According to the Louisiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence, over 53,000 domestic violence incidents were reported to law enforcement in 2023 alone. A sobering study by the Violence Policy Center ranks Louisiana 5th in the nation for the rate of women murdered by men, with the vast majority of these cases involving current or former intimate partners.
MORE: “No matter how much you hide it, we see it” | A child’s perspective on domestic violence
“Many victims say, ‘I love him, maybe he’ll change.’ “
Morris emphasized that beyond the physical injuries, officers routinely see the long-term psychological effects — especially when children are involved.
“Many victims say, ‘I love him, maybe he’ll change.’ Or they ask, ‘Where am I going to go with my kids?’” he said. “That’s why part of our job is to show them they’re not alone — there are resources that can help.”
He praised community partnerships with agencies like the Iris Domestic Violence Center, the Capital Area Family Justice Center, and the Baton Rouge Children’s Advocacy Center, which provide emergency shelter, legal aid, trauma counseling, and assistance for children exposed to abuse.
“No matter how hard we try, sometimes we can’t fix it that night”
Law enforcement protocol in domestic violence cases includes separating the individuals immediately, interviewing all parties (including neighbors and witnesses), documenting injuries and emotional states, and determining the primary aggressor — a step that doesn’t always rely on visible injuries.
Officers are trained to provide victims with emergency protective orders, shelter information, and crisis resources. Every detail, from bodycam footage to witness statements, is carefully documented to assist prosecutors and victim advocates.
Still, Morris said the emotional toll on officers is real.
“We want to fix it. And sometimes, no matter how hard we try, we can’t fix it that night. But what we can do is show victims that someone cares. That they matter. And that there is a way out.”
For immediate help, victims can call the Iris Domestic Violence Center Crisis Line at 225-389-3001 or the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233).
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