Monroe Dispatch - No Struggle, No Progress

Louisiana is ranked at the top of the list of states' rankings in domestic abuse. It has been a problem for decades despite numerous steps taken to reduced the number of incidences. The victims are overwhelmingly female, with many sustaining serious injury and in some cases, there are deaths reported. Women are encouraged to recognize the signs of an individual who may exhibit signs of an aggressive behavior toward violence as the first step to gain control over his/her companion/friend, that often does not end well for the victim. A local woman was reported to be an alleged victim of domestic abuse after she told police officers that someone she knew physically assaulted her over the weekend. According to Monroe Police, Suspect Dangelo M. Burgess was arrested recently after the alleged victim gave them information that Burgess on Saturday May 28, she was physically attacked by Burgess. According to police reports, the unidentified victim made contact with MPD on Monday, May 30nd told them that her harrowing experience began on that weekend. The victim said that the alleged suspect while in her presence, took her phone away from her and using another vehicle, preventing her from leaving in her own vehicle. The alleged suspect was said to have dragged the victim out of her vehicle, where he began punching her. The abuse suffered by the victim continued, as the alleged suspect took her inside of a residence and allegedly repeatedly raped the victim over a two-day period. The rapes were also accompanied by other acts of physical violence, when the victim alleges that Burgess choked her to the point where she became light-headed. The victim suffered other physical injuries that included a broken right hand and numerous bruises on her arms and neck. Burgess is now behind bars at the Ouachita Correctional Center facing multiple charges for his alleged acts of physical violence. He is charged with multiple rape charges, multiple battery charges, false imprisonment and simple criminal damage to property. No one has a step time that it takes to get to know a person well. But it is important to notice the "little things" about people that should make one uncomfortable being around that person. Domestic abuse is real. Take the time to really know someone and don't be afraid to walk away.

Photo Dangelo M. Burgess