After Surviving a Vicious Assault Johanna Orozco Spreads Awareness of Dating Violence
Doctors said the fact she survived at all was nothing short of miraculous.
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January 29, 2010
The romance between high school seniors Johanna Orozco and Juan Ruiz Jr. lasted for a year and a half before Ruiz became violent and possessive. After she broke up with him, he shot Orozco in the face, a crime that resulted in years of suffering and reconstructive surgeries for the young woman.
Doctors said the fact she survived at all was nothing short of miraculous, according to ABC News.
However, Orozco said that throughout her ordeal she never felt sorry for herself. "This happened for a reason, and right now it must be terrible and horrible, but [there is] a good reason why it happened," she told the news provider.
In fact, the 20-year-old now works to turn her story into an example for others by speaking to groups of teenagers, urging girls to leave violent relationships and lobbying for legislation that would provide protection orders for threatened teens, according to the news network.
Statistics from the Centers for Disease Control suggest that nearly 9 percent of high school students have experienced physical abuse during a date.
Experts from the Alabama Coalition Against Domestic Violence recommend teenagers consider double-dating the first few times they go out with a new person.
Before leaving on a date, it is good to know the exact plans for the evening and make sure a parent or friend knows these plans and what time the teen is expected to be home.
ACADV also stresses students should be aware of a decreased ability to react under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Survivors and affected individuals are encouraged to explore the resources of the Dating Violence Prevention Center or the National Teen Abuse Helpline.
The romance between high school seniors Johanna Orozco and Juan Ruiz Jr. lasted for a year and a half before Ruiz became violent and possessive. After she broke up with him, he shot Orozco in the face, a crime that resulted in years of suffering and reconstructive surgeries for the young woman.
Doctors said the fact she survived at all was nothing short of miraculous, according to ABC News.
However, Orozco said that throughout her ordeal she never felt sorry for herself. "This happened for a reason, and right now it must be terrible and horrible, but [there is] a good reason why it happened," she told the news provider.
In fact, the 20-year-old now works to turn her story into an example for others by speaking to groups of teenagers, urging girls to leave violent relationships and lobbying for legislation that would provide protection orders for threatened teens, according to the news network.
Statistics from the Centers for Disease Control suggest that nearly 9 percent of high school students have experienced physical abuse during a date.
Experts from the Alabama Coalition Against Domestic Violence recommend teenagers consider double-dating the first few times they go out with a new person.
Before leaving on a date, it is good to know the exact plans for the evening and make sure a parent or friend knows these plans and what time the teen is expected to be home.
ACADV also stresses students should be aware of a decreased ability to react under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Survivors and affected individuals are encouraged to explore the resources of the Dating Violence Prevention Center or the National Teen Abuse Helpline.
