LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — A company is trying to combat what specialists say is a rising downside within the Silver State: home violence.
In response to knowledge from World Inhabitants Evaluation, Nevada is ranked among the many high states relating to 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 stated. Her identification has been shrouded for security-related causes. Nonetheless, she has determined to talk out about what she known as the life-changing assist offered by SafeNest.
“I saw the future and they brought it to light for me, they helped me see that,” she stated. “Without that, I don’t know what would have happened.”
In response to 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 government officer of SafeNest, stated Clark County has one of many highest charges of males killing ladies. Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Division knowledge point out that home violence is the main reason for murders.
Moreover, Ortenburger make clear a further concern: bystander homicides. Situations the place victims aren’t the one targets, however the violence spreads to a brand new associate or good friend who finds themselves within the incorrect place on the incorrect time.
Knowledge from 2023 signifies there have been 5 bystander homicides within the area. Whereas numbers are usually not but accessible for 2024, Ortenburger says she is acquainted with no less than 10 instances of bystander homicides in that point. She stated the reply is streamlining the method of prosecuting home violence.
Ortenburger stated one resolution is “One Safe Place,” a brand new collaborative heart set to open in October. Right here, individuals may have 24-hour entry to regulation enforcement, authorized help, housing help, case administration, help teams, and a medical clinic.
For her half, Ortenburger stated counties and municipalities do not take the problems SafeNest addresses significantly 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 stated, including that the expansion of the state mirrors the worsening of the issues.
Some survivors are compelled to maneuver from the state to flee the violence, nonetheless she desires to cross 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 decreased the fee by $1 million. SafeNest plans to launch a capital marketing campaign to boost the remaining $7 million.
