Cleveland teenager Johanna Orozco had a relationship many of her peers considered perfect. As the romance progressed, though, her boyfriend became increasingly possessive and violent.

She tried to convince herself he could change. When things got worse, Orozco tried to end the relationship. Her boyfriend retaliated by raping her at knifepoint and ultimately shooting her in the face with a sawed-off shotgun.

Orozco survived the incident, but was left missing nearly half her face. Two and a half years later, she is still undergoing reconstructive surgery.

Despite her gruesome tragedy, she is using her story to make the nation aware of teen dating violence and abuse. She recently recounted her story on ABC’s 20/20. Orozco, now 20 years old, speaks to groups of teenage girls about abusive relationships and is using her voice to support Ohio’s House Bill 10.

House Bill 10, an initiative against teen dating abuse, has passed in the Ohio House of Representatives and is now being debated in the Ohio Senate. The bill would allow juvenile court judges to issue protection orders against juveniles.

Ohio Attorney General Richard Cordray is a strong proponent of the bill. “Too often, teens find themselves in abusive relationships,” Cordray said. “[The bill] would help teens recognize what teen dating abuse is and allow those who are threatened by abuse to seek help.”

Links

Popular teen shot in face by first love – ABC News

House Bill 10 – 128th General Assembly of the State of Ohio