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