Lillian Smith
Family Violence Foundation
Public education efforts to help stop family violence in Dallas-Ft. Worth TX
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Mother of murdered 2001 Rockwall H.S. grad to warn public
about dating violence dangers
10/14/08
By J.J. Smith
The mother of murdered 2001 Rockwall High School graduate Jennifer Pankz will speak
to warn the community about Dating Violence Dangers," Oct. 29, 7 pm, at the Rockwall ISD
Administration Building, room 600, 1050 Williams St./Hwy. 66 (next to Helping Hands).
Rowlett resident Tanya Pankz, the former branch manager of all three First Convenience
Bank locations in Rockwall, will join family violence survivor and Rockwall resident J.J. Smith,
plus a law enforcement officer, to speak in hopes of preventing injuries or deaths from occurring
among local teens.
“Jen,” the daughter of Brian and Tanya Pankz of Rowlett, was murdered Dec. 27, 2002, by a boy
whom she had been dating at UNT (the University of North Texas), after she told him she didn’t
want to continue dating because he was using and selling steroids. She had just completed her
first semester in college.
The killer pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 45 years in prison, although he becomes eligible for parole after 22.5 years.
The presentation is also an effort to recruit volunteers to join the new Rockwall County Coalition Against Family Violence, initially organized by Smith, founder of the Lillian Smith Family Violence Foundation (www.lilliansmith.org).
The Coalition is comprised of professionals and volunteers from across Rockwall County in law enforcement, criminal justice system, health care, social services, government, schools, churches and community organizations.
Included are Helping Hands, Rockwall ISD, Rockwall Presbyterian Hospital, Women In Need Women's Shelter and more.
Over 600 cases of family violence were reported in Rockwall County in 2007 and, because only 25 percent are reported to
police, about 2,500 incidents are estimated to have occurred locally.
Women In Need's victim advocate in Rockwall sees an average of three women each weekday who need help with the problem which has become a public health crisis of epidemic proportions nationwide, according to the U.S. Surgeon General.
Dating violence is now of such immense concern to officials statewide that the Texas legislature passed a law last year requiring all Texas school districts to develop programs to combat dating violence.
Seventy-five percent of 16 to 24-year-old Texans have either personally experienced dating violence or know someone who has, according to a 2006 study conducted by the Texas Council On Family Violence, with support from the Texas Attorney General.
One in every two of that same age group report they have personally experienced dating violence, which includes physical, sexual, verbal and psychological assaults on a dating partner.
To get involved or for more information, contact J.J. Smith, either at 214-256-4071 or email jj@lilliansmith.org.
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Jennifer Pankz
