For many of us, our first loves happened when we were teenagers.
And about the worst thing that happened in those relationships was the heartbreak when it all ended. But not everyone is that lucky.
A first incidence of domestic violence against women 17 and under was reported higher than that of women over 25 in the latest survey by the CDC. Just over 27% of women reported an incident when they were 17 or younger; for women over 24, the rate was 26.9%.
For men 17 and under, the rate was 21%, and it was 36% for men 25 and older.
Aaron Sebastian is the founder of local organization Teens Against Trafficking and talked to State of Nevada host Joe Schoenmann about the issue. The student-led coalition is focused on decreasing human trafficking within the state of Nevada and raising awareness of the issue. He said they’re also working to support victims and create safer spaces for them.
“We’re seeing that youth aged 12 to 19 are disproportionately affected by human trafficking,” he said.
Leah Musgrave is the organization’s fundraiser and outreach manager. She said 42% of people who face dating violence go on to be in situations of rape or significantly worse dating violence in college.
“We can see that this is definitely a gateway, which is one of the leading reasons in which we feel there needs to be more conversation happening at a younger age,” she said.
The group is very new, but Sebastian said they’ve had instances of fellow students sharing their domestic violence experiences. He said it’s best those in domestic violence situations come to you and seek your help: “That’s what’s most important, to recognize when we’re having these conversations.”
S.A.F.E. House was founded in Southern Nevada in 1994. Since then, it’s helped an estimated 100,000 people in abusive relationships with shelter and aid. Tiffany Frazier is the group’s volunteer coordinator. She herself experienced teen dating violence.
“I didn't realize that at the time, what seemed like love to me was really an extreme possessiveness, and jealousy and insecurity by the abuser … by him wanting me to be around him all the time and use the excuses. ‘Well, why did you make plans with your friends? I already made plans,’ like, ‘If you love me … stick with me and hang with me today.’ And for me as a teen, not necessarily knowing that that was a sign or red flag, I saw it as, ‘Oh, that's love.’ And that was because we didn't have those critical conversations,” she said.
Now, she helps clients escape violent situations. They provide safety planning, counseling, advocacy services and more.
Also with State of Nevada on Monday morning was Mike Kamer, the senior director of Project REAL, a law-related education organization. They hold student workshops to help communicate signs of abuse, which can range anywhere from gaslighting to “picking your clothing, picking your food, insisting on having the passwords to your social media,” he said. The second half of their program is helping students explore situations like these “from the lens of the law.”
Project REAL provides free guides and resources, and anyone interested in learning more about them can contact Kamer through their website.
If you are in need of help, for more information on teen dating violence, or to get involved, visit Project REAL, Teens Against Trafficking or S.A.F.E. House.
On Feb. 10, Project REAL and Teens Against Trafficking are hosting a TDVAM Rally. The rally will meet at the Lloyd D. George Courthouse at 3 p.m., then will march to Las Vegas City Hall to raise awareness of teen dating violence.
Guests: Mike Kamer, senior director, Project REAL; Aaron Sebastian, founder and CEO of Teens Against Trafficking; Leah Musgrave, fundraiser and outreach manager, Teens Against Trafficking; Tiffany Frazier, volunteer coordinator, Safe House
