Anti-violence advocates hold rally on steps of Louisiana State Capitol

BATON ROUGE, LA (WAFB) - Anti-violence advocates are demanding action from the 2014 Louisiana Legislature.

The Louisiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence and the Foundation Against Sexual Assault are spending the day at the Louisiana State Capitol in support of a group of bills designed to slow down domestic violence.

Louisiana ranks No. 45 nationally in domestic violence prevention. The five-bill package is making its way through the process, which would put some teeth in existing laws.

"We haven't had strong enough laws and so, that's one of the reasons we have this package of bills, so that we go ahead and enhance those penalties for offenders and help protect victim's and at the end of the day, prevent cases," said state Rep. Helena Moreno, D-New Orleans.

The bills are aimed to restrict abusers access to firearms, among other protections for domestic violence and sexual assault survivors.

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