Louisiana’s Domestic Violence Center speaks about kidnapping incident and emphasizes center’s security

BATON ROUGE, Louisiana (BRPROUD) – After a Baton Rouge man is accused of kidnapping a woman from the Iris Domestic Violence Center, the center’s executive director is speaking out about misleading headlines saying the center was broken into.

“Our priority is and remains the safety of victims,” said Patti Freeman, executive director of the Iris Domestic Violence Center.

Robert Cole, 45, of Baton Rouge, was arrested and charged with simple kidnapping, domestic violence (strangulation), false imprisonment, first degree rape and simple criminal damage.

According to BRPD, Cole kidnapped a female victim from the Iris Domestic Violence Center on July 4. Later that week, on July 9, the same female victim called BRPD and stated that she was being held against her will at a home on Hollywood Street.

After Cole’s arrest, Freeman clarifies that Cole did not go through the gate, which is also mentioned in the affidavit.

“After the suspect arrived, he first attempted to enter our driveway gate, which of course he was not allowed to do. He then went to another area of ​​the gate and damaged that area. However, he did not actually enter that area,” Freeman said.

After the incident, she stressed that safety is and will always be the top priority.

“The Baton Rouge City Police Department responded immediately and took action. I’m very proud of the staff that is here. They took immediate action and took the actions required and necessary,” Freeman said. “Did the staff do everything that could be done? Yes. Any victim that is abused again by someone is terrifying to me as well and I’m appalled by it.”

According to Freeman, the crisis hotline is an indispensable tool for victims of domestic violence who may find themselves in a similar situation.

“The crisis hotline is available 24 hours a day, every day of the week and is staffed by one of our employees who is experienced in crisis and case management and knows how to proceed with each caller,” said Freeman.

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