SafeNest to host February 19 Panel Discussion for Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month

SafeNest, Nevada’s largest and most comprehensive nonprofit dedicated to ending domestic and sexual violence, will mark Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month, February, with a panel discussion on teen dating’s oft-hidden dangers and potential violence, especially strangulation.

SafeNest Chief Executive Officer Liz Ortenburger will lead the discussion, set for 5:30 to 7 p.m. Feb. 19 at The Nest at SafeNest, 3844 Meadows Lane. Discussion will center on spotting and stopping abuse early and talking with teens about healthy, respectful relationships. Although this panel is aimed at adults, SafeNest invites people ages 13 and older to participate.

Andrea Furtos, LCSW, a licensed social worker and SafeNest’s clinical services director, will join Ashley Jones, a domestic violence survivor and cast member of MTV's "Teen Mom: The Next Chapter" and on the panel, and Courtney Burns, a licensed school counselor, addiction counselor and clinical therapist, with Ortenburger.

“During Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month, we’re reminded that recent events locally and globally reflect patterns we see far too often, especially among young people learning what relationships look like,” said SafeNest CEO Liz Ortenburger. “This panel creates space for education, prevention, and honest dialogue about consent, boundaries, and safety. By coming together as a community, we can shift the narrative from reacting to violence to preventing it, while ensuring survivors know they are believed, supported, and never alone.”

Panelist Bios

Ashley Jones, a survivor of family violence and a former teen mom, has pursued a service career as a behavioral therapist, grounded in health science. She’s pursuing her master’s and is deeply committed to breaking generational cycles through honest conversation, behavioral health, and advocacy.

Andrea Furtos began her career in nonprofits, working with at-risk youth and teens through Big Brothers Big Sisters of America. She later transitioned into clinical work as a therapist, serving youth and families within the foster care system. She now practices therapy privately, serving teens and adults and focusing particularly on domestic violence and complex abuse.

Courtney Burns has spent more than 25 years in the world of education — serving students, families, and teachers with passion and purpose. A former teacher of both special and general education, Courtney went on to lead the counseling department at Faith Lutheran in Las Vegas for nearly 15 years, where she piloted an innovative trauma-informed therapy dog program. Retired from the world of school counseling, Courtney now serves as a full-time therapist working with a variety of populations, including those recently released from incarceration. She also continues to provide consultancy support to schools and organizations.

Admission to the talk is $25. 

About SafeNest 

Tracing roots back to 1977, SafeNest is focused on ending domestic and sexual violence through collaboration, innovative strategy, and client centered program delivery. What sets SafeNest apart is the commitment to treating the entire continuum of violence from prevention to protection to empowerment. Our core, confidential services include emergency shelter, 24/7 crisis hotline, counseling, advocacy, and prevention education. SafeNest is the only nonprofit in the Valley to provide resources for perpetrators to address the cycle of abuse at its root. For more information, visit www.safenest.org. For immediate help and support, call, or text the 24/7 domestic violence hotline at 702-646-4981.