The Caddo-Bossier Domestic Violence Task Force held a specialized training seminar Thursday at Sheriff’s Safety Town to address the growing problem of stalking in the local area.
Stalking Awareness and Prevention
The event was designed for law enforcement officers, prosecutors, advocates, and mental health professionals who investigate stalking cases or directly serve survivors. Jennifer Landhuis, the executive director of the Stalking Prevention Awareness and Resource Center, served as the keynote speaker and said research indicates that stalking increases the risk of homicide by a factor of three.
The workshop explored how stalkers utilize technology to target victims, while also teaching professionals how victims can use technology to document stalking behavior for criminal investigations. Attendees were also trained to identify 14 specific risk factors associated with stalking cases.
The Caddo-Bossier Domestic Violence Task Force is a multidisciplinary team that meets monthly to provide support for survivors and hold offenders accountable. Those interested in joining the task force can find more information on its Facebook page.
Thursday’s training was supported by the Caddo Parish District Attorney’s Office and the Caddo Sheriff’s Office, which provided the location and meals for the event. For those seeking resources, Landhuis recommended visiting stalkingawareness.org for data, safety planning tips, and documentation logs.
Original reporting: KTBS 3 (Shreveport) — read the source article.