SafeNest CEO pushes broader approach to ending domestic violence

SafeNest CEO Liz Ortenburger says reducing domestic violence requires supporting survivors, helping people who cause harm and intervening earlier with children and families. She discussed the strategy on the Public Defenseless podcast and pointed to Clark County call data as evidence that more prevention happens before arrests.

Why it matters: - SafeNest’s model treats domestic violence as a cycle that can involve survivors, abusive partners and children, not just a single incident. - The approach could shift more resources toward prevention, early intervention and behavior change before violence escalates or leads to arrest. - Ortenburger argues that relying mainly on incarceration has not produced meaningful reductions in domestic violence or related homicides.

What happened: - Liz Ortenburger, CEO of SafeNest, joined the Public Defenseless podcast to discuss a different approach to breaking cycles of domestic violence. - Ortenburger said effective response requires addressing survivors, people causing harm and childhood trauma together. - SafeNest is Nevada’s largest domestic and sexual violence agency. - The organization provides services to survivors, children and abusive partners.

The details: - SafeNest services can include counseling, housing assistance, workforce development, intervention programs and other support tied to violence prevention and recovery. - The organization offers abusive partners support beyond court-mandated intervention, including individual and couples counseling, housing and workforce support, and referrals for substance abuse treatment. - Ortenburger said many survivors return to relationships for financial, religious, cultural and other reasons. - SafeNest aims to give survivors more agency while creating opportunities for abusive partners to address their behavior and underlying needs. - Staff do not immediately sort people into victim or perpetrator categories when someone seeks help. - SafeNest staff ask what each person needs and connect them with appropriate services. - Ortenburger said everyone who walks through the door is treated with dignity and respect. - Clark County receives about 100,000 domestic violence-related 911 calls each year. - About 30,000 of those calls lead to arrests. - Ortenburger sees the remaining calls as a chance to reach families earlier with support that could prevent future violence. - She said avoiding arrest can also reduce job loss, housing instability and additional trauma for children. - Children are another focus of SafeNest’s prevention work. - Ortenburger discussed the long-term effects of childhood trauma and the need to show children that witnessed violence does not determine their future. - SafeNest’s Pathways to Hope program gives children affected by domestic violence experiences designed to build hope, connection and a vision beyond their circumstances. - Ortenburger also called on adults, especially men, to mentor boys and model healthy relationships, emotional regulation and alternatives to violence. - The full conversation is available here.

Between the lines: - Ortenburger is making a case that domestic violence prevention should move upstream, with more emphasis on family support and intervention before the criminal legal system becomes the main response. - The Clark County call data suggests many incidents may present opportunities for services rather than arrests alone. - The framing also broadens responsibility beyond survivors, which could be controversial in traditional domestic violence policy circles.

What’s next: - SafeNest is likely to keep centering its integrated model of emergency response, prevention education, housing, legal advocacy and offender intervention. - Ortenburger’s comments point to continued advocacy for system-wide accountability and prevention-focused responses. - The podcast discussion may add visibility to a model that blends survivor support with services for people who cause harm and early help for children.

The bottom line: - SafeNest is arguing that ending domestic violence requires helping survivors, changing abusive behavior and interrupting trauma early — not just making arrests after violence occurs.