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

1. Take time to see how potential partners handle conflict/stress
2. Women should maintain financial independence
3. 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