LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — A corporation is trying to combat what consultants say is a rising downside within the Silver State: home violence.
Based on information from World Inhabitants Overview, Nevada is ranked among the many high states on the subject of home violence-related homicides. One home violence survivor recounted the hopeless feeling.
“It was to the point where you want to surrender and give up,” she mentioned. Her id has been shrouded for security-related causes. Nonetheless, she has determined to talk out about what she known as the life-changing assist supplied by SafeNest.
“I saw the future and they brought it to light for me, they helped me see that,” she mentioned. “Without that, I don’t know what would have happened.”
Based on SafeNest’s web site, the group’s mission is to “provide comprehensive, collaborative, and innovative services for everyone affected by domestic violence, sexual abuse, and human trafficking while passionately working to end this shared epidemic.”
Liz Ortenburger, chief govt officer of SafeNest, mentioned Clark County has one of many highest charges of males killing ladies. Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Division information point out that home violence is the main explanation for murders.
Moreover, Ortenburger make clear an extra challenge: bystander homicides. Situations the place victims aren’t the one targets, however the violence spreads to a brand new associate or pal who finds themselves within the improper place on the improper time.
Knowledge from 2023 signifies there have been 5 bystander homicides within the area. Whereas numbers should not but obtainable for 2024, Ortenburger says she is aware of at the very least 10 instances of bystander homicides in that point. She mentioned the reply is streamlining the method of prosecuting home violence.
Ortenburger mentioned one resolution is “One Safe Place,” a brand new collaborative middle set to open in October. Right here, individuals may have 24-hour entry to legislation enforcement, authorized help, housing help, case administration, help teams, and a medical clinic.
For her half, Ortenburger mentioned counties and municipalities do not take the problems SafeNest addresses critically sufficient.
“We have no support from the county; they were to give us money, and then they pulled it back for this project, and our local municipalities haven’t invested at all,” Ortenburger mentioned, including that the expansion of the state mirrors the worsening of the issues.
Some survivors are pressured to maneuver from the state to flee the violence, nonetheless she desires to move alongside a message: life will get higher.
“Just be aware and know that there is support out there, you can get out,” the nameless survivor suggested. “Don’t be stuck and don’t stay.”
The constructing have to be purchased and renovated for $17 million. The state of Nevada has awarded $9 million, and the vendor lowered the associated fee by $1 million. SafeNest plans to launch a capital marketing campaign to lift the remaining $7 million.
