Friday & Tacos - Steven Dana
Discuss protection from abuse, human trafficking, and security challenges in Mexico with expert Steven Dana.
- Protection from abuse is critically needed but often inaccessible for victims without financial means
- Electronic/digital threats are a pervasive, growing problem in domestic abuse situations
- Men are victims of domestic abuse nearly as often as women, but are less likely to seek help
- Key relationship advice: Take time to see how partners handle conflict, maintain financial independence, be careful who you have children with
Topics
Security Landscape in Mexico
- Tourist areas generally safe, but rest of country inadvisable for Americans to visit
- Tamaulipas rated "Level 4 - Do Not Travel" by US State Department
- Significant cultural divide between US/Mexico on security expectations
- High-level protection very resource-intensive; even politicians vulnerable
Protection from Abuse Organization
- Founded in 2015 by Steven Dana as a charity to provide security services to abuse victims
- Assisted 954 individuals in past 12 months with safety/security issues
- Services include court escorts, home security, electronic threat mitigation
- Funded by federal VOCA (Victims of Crime Act) grant
Electronic Threats in Abuse Cases
- Ubiquitous problem - compromised devices, hacked accounts, hidden cameras/mics
- Children's devices often vector for continued surveillance post-separation
- Specialized, expensive equipment needed for proper sweeps/detection
- Limited free resources available to victims for technical countermeasures
Male Victims of Domestic Abuse
- ~9% of PFA clients are male victims - likely underreported due to stigma
- Studies show men and women abuse partners at similar rates
- Men less likely to seek help, more likely to try managing situation alone
Relationship Advice
- Take time to see how potential partners handle conflict/stress
- Women should maintain financial independence
- Be very careful who you have children with - co-parenting complicates separation
Challenges of Protection Work
- Long hours, frequent travel disruptive to family life
- Difficulty maintaining health/fitness routines on the road
- Emotional toll of constant exposure to trauma/abuse cases
