LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- A Louisville domestic violence survivor filed a lawsuit against Louisville Metro Police officers and MetroSafe dispatchers. 

Attorneys for the woman filed the lawsuit against LMPD and MetroSafe this week, alleging the departments violated mandatory response protocols after a violent attack in January 2024.

The complaint alleges the woman suffered nearly three hours of violence, during which she was beaten, strangled and threatened with pliers, a hammer and large knife. The lawsuit said the woman's neighbors called police with concerns that domestic violence was taking place.

LMPD call logs show the initial call came in at 6:13 p.m. By 6:27 p.m., officers were on their way. But the call log doesn't show anyone showing up until 9:23 p.m.

According to the lawsuit, despite LMPD policies requiring an immediate response to domestic violence calls, officers cleared the call within two minutes without ever arriving at the scene.

"There's just this big three-hour gap which happens to be this, the worst thing you can imagine happening to somebody," David Barber, the woman's attorney, said. "She's being tortured basically for three hours."

The woman was hit in the face multiple times, which broke her orbital bone and other bones in the face and skull, the attack also caused brain damage and the need for surgeries, according to the lawsuit.

The lawsuit said the perpetrator, Richard Gregory, was arrested in January 2024 and initially charged with assault, kidnapping with serious physical injury, strangulation and violation of an emergency protective order. The arrest report shows he wasn't arrested until more than 24 hours after the initial call.

"How do you leave him there by himself?" Barber said. "Family could've come over to check on her, neighbors could've come down to say 'hey, we heard some commotion is everything okay?' Things could've been even worse."

WDRB is not naming the woman because it's a domestic violence case, but the two have a history. Gregory was found guilty of assault in 2017 and 2018.

"I've done this for over 30 years," Barber said. "I was a prosecutor and I've done a lot of stuff with these type (of) cases, similar cases. I have no explanation. That's at least one that makes sense in terms of how police want to do their jobs, they way we want police to do their jobs."

LMPD said officers responded to 24,915 calls for service related to domestic violence in 2024. 

"Each of these cases is unique and complex. Domestic Violence situations are some of the most dangerous calls police officers around the world respond to," LMPD spokesperson Dwight Mitchell said in a statement. "Officers and Investigators of LMPD do their level best to manage these volatile situations with the sanctity of life (and protection of those victimized) set as the highest priority. Nobody deserves to be assaulted or injured by an intimate partner, and we work diligently (day and night) to hold accountable those who perpetrate these violent acts."

"It's a high-risk situation," Barber said. "It demands an immediate response, and three hours is certainly not immediate."

If you want help escaping an abusive relationship, call the Center for Women and Families' 24/7 hotline at 844-237-2331. Their website also helps with information on prevention, education and navigating protective orders in the courts. For those resources, click here. 

There are additional resources available across the country. If you or someone you know is a victim of domestic violence and needs assistance, reach out to the National Domestic Violence Hotline by calling 800-799-SAFE or by clicking here.

There is also a 24-hour Rape Crisis Line in Kentucky at 800-656-HOPE (4673) to connect with a sexual assault service provider near you or contact your local Kentucky State Police Post to connect with a victim advocate.

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