About
The Lillian Smith Family Violence Foundation is Northeast Texas' largest network of abuse survivors, victims, family and friends of victims, professionals, legislators and other concerned citizens campaigning in media, schools and communities to dramatically reduce injuries, save lives, ensure quality care, plus persuade and empower people to finally bring an end domestic, dating, child and pet abuse.
Our Board and Advisory Council members include Texas State Senator Bob Deuell; Rockwall County Criminal District Attorney Kenda Culpepper; Rowlett Mayor John Harper and his wife, Debra Harper; Dallas Morning News Neighbors Go Editor Dawn Redig, Texas "Superlawyer" and legal columnist John Browning, plus several more community, business and educational leaders.
The Foundation serves primarily as a professional advertising and public relations agency focused specifically on increasing awareness and education about how to prevent and end relationship violence. Since 2000 founder J.J. Smith has generated hundreds of news stories across Dallas-Ft. Worth TX and the U.S. Many of the stories we write and arrange expose problems which victims are having with CPS, judges and courts, as well as with their husbands, exes and boyfriends. By so doing we also educate the public about domestic, dating, child and pet abuse and urge the public to do something about it.
In addition, we provide media interviews and training; hold press conferences; produce internet, broadcast, print, outdoor and other forms of advertising; plus arrange special events. We work with legal, legislative, governmental and community leaders to make important changes in our policies and laws. We assist and refer abuse victims to find the help they need, whenever we're asked.
Because relationship violence is such a widespread national epidemic, we believe that only by utilizing the power and reach of the media and Internet to reach the masses - combined with huge special events - will we ever be able to achieve the attitudinal, behavioral and legal changes necessary to successfully combat abuse and bring an end to relationship violence.
Our signature event is the Lillian Smith "Race To End Abuse" 5K/Walk, a series of events designed to mobilize thousands of concerned citizens to raise awareness of the battle against abuse, celebrate survivorship, remember those who have lost their lives and raise funds for prevention-oriented advertising and public relations campaigns, plus victim assistance organizations.
Until now the vast majority of our's nation's resources and energy devoted to family violence have been used for assisting victims and punishing abusers. But despite the millions of dollars and hours which have been contributed, relationship violence continues as a raging epidemic - particularly among teens and young adults.
If abuse is ever going to be truly eliminated, we need to stop it before it starts. The time has come to focus a much greater amount of time and money on public education campaigns to prevent abuse - beginning with teens and children.
Based in the east Dallas suburb of Rockwall, and registered in Texas as a non-profit corporation, we have applied for and are currently awaiting approval from the IRS to become a tax-deductible, 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.
Specifically, we:
- Write news stories, give news interviews and arrange publicity
- Create advertising messages for traditional media and the Internet
- Promote women's shelters & community resources which help victims and abusers using traditional media and the Internet
- Organize special events, including 5K races, Walks, Marches, Concerts Conferences and Protests
- Produce educational messages how to prevent abuse and get help
- Provide speakers to schools, churches, community groups, conferences and the media
- Consult with businesses to establish domestic violence and child abuse/neglect safety programs
- Consult with colleges and school districts to establish dating violence safety programs
- Network with and provide education for legal, health care and social service professionals; legislators, law enforcement, clergy and media
- Research facts and statistics
- Develop strategies
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