Bipartisan Coalition Funds New Las Vegas Campus For Victims of Domestic Violence, Human Trafficking

Today, Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo, Treasurer Zach Conine, and Interim Finance Committee Chairwoman Daniele Monroe-Moreno, and Chair of the Senate Finance Committee Marilyn Dondero Loop announced that the State of Nevada has finalized funding for a new campus in Southern Nevada that will increase services for victims of domestic violence and trafficking.

Earlier this week, the Board of Directors for the Nevada State Infrastructure Bank, approved a loan of $5 million to the non-profit organization SafeNest for its One Safe Place Project in Las Vegas.

In a press release, Governor Lombardo’s office announced, “As a result of bipartisan efforts from all levels of State Government, this Project will allow SafeNest to develop a one-of-a-kind campus to provide legal assistance, case-management, temporary supportive housing, childcare, and medical care for victims of domestic violence, sexual violence, and human trafficking.”

The bipartisan coalition and the CEO of SafeNest offered the following statements:

“Since my time in law enforcement, I’ve recognized SafeNest as a critical partner in providing essential support for victims of domestic and sexual violence and human trafficking,” said Governor Joe Lombardo. “My office was proud to progress this to the Interim Finance Committee and Nevada State Infrastructure Bank, so that we could expand access, resources, and care for victims.”

“Nevada currently ranks the fourth highest in the nation for rates of interpersonal violence,” said Treasurer Conine. “This project will provide desperately needed services to individuals who have suffered from domestic and sexual violence in a new state-of-the-art campus.”

“I am thrilled that the Interim Finance Committee allocated funding to assist survivors of domestic violence and trafficking,” said Interim Finance Chairwoman Daniele Monroe-Moreno. She continued, “This transformative project will provide comprehensive and essential services, helping to rebuild lives, and also ensuring a safer, stronger, more resilient community in Clark County.”

“SafeNest plays a vital role empowering survivors of domestic and sexual violence,” said Senator Marilyn Dondero Loop, Chair of the Senate Finance Committee. She continued, “I am proud that officials, from both parties, have come together to support this organization and ensure we are doing all we can to lift up nonprofits that provide critical services to those who need it most.”

“We are incredibly excited about what this investment from the state is going to be able to do to get victims safer and to help end the epidemic of sexual and domestic violence in Clark County and beyond,” said Liz Ortenburger, CEO of SafeNest. “We’d like to extend a huge thank you to Governor Lombardo, Assemblywoman Daniele Monroe-Moreno, and our state leaders who worked to get this across the finish line.”

The total cost of this Project is anticipated to be $20 million, and the Legislature’s Interim Finance Committee previously approved $9 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds to support this project last month. Remaining funding for the project will be privately raised by SafeNest.

This week’s action by the State Infrastructure Bank is the final piece of funding that will allow the Project to move forward immediately and the project is expected to be  completed in 2025.

As reported by The Globe, Nevada ranks number one in the United States for human trafficking.

Bipartisan legislation signed by Governor Lombardo, SB 89, revised  provisions governing crimes relating to sex trafficking. According to the bill, a sex trafficker who is trying to lure children online and responds to an officer posing as a juvenile could face a Class A felony, an automatic life sentence, and a minimum parole time of five to fifteen years. The minimum time for parole will depend on the age of the officer’s online profile– and the age of their desired sex trafficking victim.

To report instances of trafficking, call the National Human Trafficking Resource Center Hotline at 1-888-373-7888.