Meg Gatto ABC26 News

October 28, 2010
New Orleans—
Mayor Landrieu is teaming up with President Obama to help victims of domestic violence, while survivors say more services are desperately needed in the crescent city.

Elleneisha Peterson is only 23 years old but she's been through a lifetime of horrors. "At the time that I was attacked, I was carrying twins and I miscarried in the middle of the street, I was drugged, I was raped for about five hours" Peterson recalls.

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Elleneisha was attacked by her boyfriend in California. She returned home to New Orleans, to find refuge in the New Orleans Family Justice Center. The center helps domestic violence victims get back on their feet, but now there's even more help coming for victims here. Wednesday, Mayor Landrieu along with President Obama, announced the launch of a program that will connect lawyers with domestic violence victims. The lawyers will help victims navigate family courts and find safe housing, and all of the work will be done pro bono. Robin Saizam with the Family Justice Center, says many victims don't go to the police because they worry about the cost of going to court. "Not only may they not have the money, they may be resources that are being controlled by their abuser" Saizam says.

And that's exactly what happened to Elleneisha Peterson. She explains, "I was a college student, I didn't have any money."

Elleneisha never went to the police, her boyfriend was never arrested. She wishes things would've ended differently, but now all she can do is warn other women. "Call 911. Call whoever you need to call, to get yourself safe and mentally stable because its never worth losing yourself" Peterson says.

The NOPD is also raising awareness about domestic violence. In fact, officers just completed intensive training on how to help victims in the field.