AG Rutledge launches new domestic violence help initiative

Arkansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge (R) unveiled “Laura’s Card,” a new initiative to assist and empower victims of domestic violence and sexual assault.

Laura’s Card was created through legislation passed in the 2015 legislative session after many conversations with Laura Webb of Cabot, Rutledge said. Webb is a survivor of domestic violence, but when she was victimized she did not know where to turn and voiced her concerns about the need to provide resources to those in abusive situations. Under Act 873, law enforcement officers must provide a resource information card to assist victims of crime and their families.

“As a former Lonoke County prosecutor, I have seen firsthand the horrific tragedy domestic violence situations can bring on families,” Rutledge said in a press conference Wednesday (Feb. 17). “In 2014 alone, the domestic violence shelters in Arkansas received almost 28,000 phone calls, of which nearly 35 percent were in a crisis situation. Together we can make a difference against these crimes that have no age, race, economic or geographic boundaries, which is why my office has produced and printed a Laura’s Card that will be distributed to all 75 counties – to sheriffs’ offices, police departments, advocacy groups and shelters. If we can save one life by sharing these resources, it is worth it.”

Rep. Charlotte Douglas (R-Alma) was the lead sponsor of the legislation that led to Act 873.

“Domestic violence is most often about control of the victim: physical, emotional, financial and educational,” she said. “It is my hope that through Laura’s Card we bring power to victims through access to their victim’s rights and services that are offered to free them from a life of abuse. We must all work to turn victims into victors.”

Laura’s Card now includes 24-hour crisis lines, a place for law enforcement and local shelter or service provider to include contact information, a list of victim’s rights, information about the Crime Victims Reparations Board and a website that has been created with links to numerous resources available across the State. The website, LaurasCard.ar.gov, is a clearinghouse of resources for law enforcement, service providers and victims.