Mesquite Chamber Hosts Fundraiser For SafeNest

By VERNON ROBISON

The Progress

The Mesquite business community observed October as Domestic Violence Prevention Month at a special fundraiser luncheon themed “Hope Starts Here” put on by the Mesquite Chamber of Commerce on Thursday, Oct. 28 at the Casablanca Resort.

The large ballroom was filled with more than 200 attendees there to support the regional SafeNest organization with its new focus in the city of Mesquite and the surrounding northeast Clark County communities. More than $5,300 was raised for the local SafeNest in the event.

In an interview with The Progress, SafeNest CEO Liz Ortenburger of Las Vegas, said that the organization had been active in Mesquite providing counseling services for more than 20 years. But over the past several months, the 501(c)(3) non-profit has also been working with the City Attorney’s office to offer victim advocacy and survivor support in the region, as well as take over management of the confidential domestic violence shelter in the city.

This represents a small change to how the city has dealt with domestic violence problems in the past. Prior to this time, the local victims advocacy program and the shelter have been run by in-house Mesquite city staff.

“This is an incredible opportunity for us to make sure that not only the citizens of Mesquite, but also the Moapa Valley, have a safe place to support healing from domestic violence,” Ortenburger said.

Ortenburger said that her organization is committed to address the unique needs of the rural communities in the area.
“Of course, domestic violence at its root is the same everywhere,” she said. “But there are certainly differences in a rural community versus an urban environment. So we wanted to make sure that we had a local Mesquite staff who can help elevate and understand the complexities of the environment to be able to support survivors as best as possible.”

During a presentation made to attendees at the luncheon, Ortenburger introduced the staff members who would be working in the Mesquite area. These included counselor Glen Horlacher, who has been operating in the community with SafeNest for more than 20 years; and Shannon Harris, a former City victims advocate.

In her presentation, Ortenburger talked about the scope of the domestic violence problem across the southern Nevada region. Last year 109,000 domestic violence 911 calls were fielded in Clark County, she said. About 75 percent of those homes have children. With an average of 2 children per household, that would be around 150,000 children witnessing domestic violence last year, she said.

“Without intervention, 76 percent of those children will repeat the cycle either as a victim or as a batterer,” Ortenburger said. “So when people ask me why domestic violence is so rampant in Clark County, I give them that map. It is a snowball that keeps growing.”

Ortenburger then emphasized the vital importance of that word “intervention” and she discussed what intervention should look like in Mesquite.

Firstly, intervention should include having honest conversations with children starting in kindergarten about healthy and equal relationships, Ortenburger said.
“Working with children to simply share the ideals of equality between the two people in a relationship and what is appropriate will begin the tide of turning the epidemic of domestic violence for generations,” Ortenburger said.

A second intervention technique that is necessary is to believe survivors when they report a problem and assist them in finding help, Ortenburger said.
“The most important thing that we can do is believe a survivor’s story,” Ortenburger said. “And we should not share statements like, ‘Well, that would never happen to me!’. Because it could happen to any one of us.”

Thirdly is for members of the public to not ignore signs of an abusive relationship among their own family, friends and loved ones. If such behavior is witnessed in family members or friends, Ortenburger said that it should spark a one-on-one conversation with a repected friend or family member.

“That should go something like this,” Ortenburger said. “‘I’m not here to judge whether this is right or wrong, but I am here to tell you that abusive behavior inside a relationship is detrimental. I love and care about you and I think that this behavior should stop.’”

Ortenburger said that addressing abusive behavior in this way would be the most important thing that the community could do to address domestic violence.

In some brief opening comments Mesquite Chamber President/CEO Carol Kolson stressed the impact of domestic violence on the community and its businesses.
“Domestic violence affects all demographics; whether you’re wealthy or low income, highly educated or a blue collar worker; it can be there,” Kolson said.

Ortenburger emphasized that monetary donations given by local residents could be specified to support the local programs only.
“I know that it is important for dollars to stay within a community,” she said. “So if that is a priority for the donor, they absolutely can let us know that.”
Donations may be made online at SafeNest.org.

Anyone finding themselves in a domestic violence situation may call the SafeNest hotline at 702-646-4981 for help.