Las Vegas NowNV Gets Low Grade in Teen Domestic Violence Prevention

NV Gets Low Grade in Teen Domestic Violence Prevention

The charges against singer Chris Brown have brought dating violence into the headlines. Brown is accused of attacking his girlfriend, singer Rhianna, leaving her battered and bruised.

A new report looked at just how much protection there is for victims of teen dating violence and Nevada received a very poor grade. The state got a D for the laws that are in place to protect teens caught in violent situations with someone they're dating.

Safe Nest offers counseling to teens in violent relationships. They say the low grade is not completely fair because the state does have some things in place to help protect victims but they agree there is a need for more.

2009 State Law Report Cards

A first crush, a first date, and even first love is suppose to be attachment at it's most innocent, but sometimes it's anything but innocent.

"We prosecute juvenile domestic violence cases a lot," said Clark County District Attorney David Roger.

Handcuffs and police cars are a stark contrast to most people's idea of romance, but studies show one in every three teens will experience dating violence. Restraining orders are an option, but in Nevada, a juvenile can't get one without a guardian. It's a roadblock that keeps some victims from seeking help.

"Maybe they have ditched school, they've done some drugs, they've had sex, they have done some things that maybe they don't want their parents to know about, and that is going to come out during the protective order," said adolescent domestic violence intervention therapist Lora Watkins. "We are putting our kids at risk when we limit their ability to get a protective order in any way."

Watkins works with many teens that are charged with domestic violence and are required to attend counseling. She says while the sessions do work, they're not long enough. Adults are required to have 26 sessions while teens only required to attend eight.

She says more programs are needed in schools to have an impact early in a teen's life, "If we can get those programs in to the school system, we can start teaching kids very early on what is real respect, what is real love, what does a healthy relationship look like, what are personal boundaries."

Watkins says sex education could also help to deter dating violence because ignorance is a control some abusers use, "Many of my male teenage clients speak of wanting to get a baby's momma, because then she will always be there for me and she is stuck."

Community outreach is also important in preventing dating violence. Watkins says people don't always know what violence looks like. It not just violent attacks that leave a bruise, it can be just name calling and control issues.