New Orleans Home Health Nurse Victim of Rape
This past Thursday afternoon, January 26th, a New Orleans visiting nurse was abducted from her parked car at gunpoint. News stories indicate the nurse was on her cell phone when the perpetrator approached her and forced her to an abandoned home near Erato and South Gayoso Streets. She was sexually assaulted by multiple parties before she was able to flee after being left alone.
I have spoken with Jamey Boudreaux, Executive Director of the Louisiana Mississippi Hospice and Palliative Care Organization. We will be working together to connect with the Mayor Mitch Landrieu’s office about this situation. We will also initiate an information campaign shortly and are evaluating other appropriate activities in an effort to address safety issues for hospice and homecare visiting staff. Your thoughts and ideas are appreciated as we respond to this horrendous act of violence on one of our own.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to this brave nurse. We’ll make you aware of any effort the industry might make to assist her in any way. For now her privacy should be respected and continuous prayer sent her way.
Warren Hebert, HCLA
Homecare and hospice visiting staff generally see any and all that need assistance. Precautions such as security guard escorts are provided in some neighborhoods to assure staff safety. Vigilance at all times and in all places may make an event like the one above less likely.
Here are some things to think about to prevent yourself from being a victim:
- Women sometimes get into their cars and stay parked for a while, after shopping, eating, working, etc. They may be documenting the visit they just made. This puts you at risk. The predator may be watching you, and this is the perfect opportunity for him to get in on the passenger side, put a gun to your head, and tell you where to go. AS SOON AS YOU GET INTO YOUR CAR, LOCK THE DOORS AND LEAVE.
- Rapists look for victims that are isolated. When in a parking lot, garage, public bathroom, etc, what matters most is your isolation. Areas heavily frequented by foot traffic are far less likely to be chosen by a rapist. Likewise, badly-lit, less-frequented places will be favored for this type of attack.
- Most men rapists when looking for a potential victim is look for an easy target. He wants to take advantage of the window of opportunity. Walk with confidence and look like you know where you’re going (even if you don’t). Always be aware of your surroundings, take someone with you if you can. If you see any odd behavior, don’t dismiss it; go with your instincts!!!
- Perpetrators are looking to grab a woman and quickly move her to another location where they are less likely to get caught.
- They may look for women on their cell phone, searching through their purse or doing other activities while walking because they are off guard and can be easily overpowered.
Here are a few suggestions if you are getting into your car in a parking lot or garage:
- Be aware, looking into your car, in the back seat and passenger side floor for anything unusual
- If a big van is parked next to the driver’s side door be aware of its occupants
- Note the vehicle parked on your driver’s side, if a male occupant is setting on the passenger side door you may want to go back into a building and get an escort to your car.
Click the following link for the full story:
http://www.wdsu.com/video/30334894/detail.html#.Tyh5TdzwrkA.email
TAKE A STAND AGAINST CRIME
- BE AWARE of your surroundings at all times.
- WHEN RETURNING to a parked car, be alert to anyone around it, and look inside before getting in.
- DO NOT resist an armed aggressor.
- TRUST YOUR INSTINCTS. If it does not feel right, call for help.
- BE AWARE that risk increases in secluded areas.
- BE A GOOD WITNESS. Describe exactly what you observe with as many details as possible. Give complete descriptions such as sex, race, height, weight, hair color, clothing, etc.
This 6-step guideline was taken from the Tulane/Loyola campus security.
