Past Game Changers

Past Game Changers

Improving Community Responses

Game Changers spark a new way of doing things in their communities, so victims of gender-based violence receive compassionate and competent services, and perpetrators are held accountable.

Barbara Smith

LIEUTENANT, PRINCE GEORGE’S COMMUNITY COLLEGE POLICE DEPARTMENT

As a child, Lieutenant Barbara Smith witnessed her mother being abused. At that moment, she knew she wanted to help others, and eventually became a police officer to do just that. Community policing is one of her biggest passions, along with advocating for victims of domestic violence.

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Carmen J. Bloom White

ATTORNEY AND ADVOCATE FOR THE START BY BELIEVING CAMPAIGN

In 2018, Ms. White was crowned Mrs. Pennsylvania International and began traveling around the state with the SBB message as her community service mission.

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Daryl Kennedy Cansuthus

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, WO/MEN’S RESOURCE AND RAPE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

Daryl Kennedy Chansuthus is the Executive Director of Wo/Men’s Resource and Rape Assistance Program, a dual domestic violence/sexual assault program serving 19 counties in West Tennessee.

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Holly Clay

DETECTIVE, XENIA POLICE DEPARTMENT

Detective Clay has dedicated the last 18 years of her career to lessening the impact of domestic violence and other gender-based crimes as the city’s sole domestic violence detective. In this role, she is responsible for legal updates and departmental trainings on current domestic violence issues.

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Pierre De La Ossa

DETECTIVE, TUCSON POLICE DEPARTMENT

Detective De La Ossa co-founded a nonprofit organization, called Special Victims Investigators of Tucson, engages with the community to help victims of domestic violence and child crimes.

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Shellie T. Severa

SEXUAL ASSAULT PREVENTION AND RESPONSE (SAPR) VICTIM ADVOCATE, 354TH FIGHTER WING OF THE U.S. AIR FORCE

In 2017, her work was recognized when Ms. Severa was named the top SAPR Victim Advocate of the Air Force. The award honors unique initiatives that have significantly increased the readiness and capability of the Eielson program to reach victims of sexual assault.

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Beya Thayer

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR YAVAPAI JUSTICE AND MENTAL HEALTH COALITION

Ms. Thayer realized the Start by Believing campaign message was the missing link needed to enhance the criminal justice training her team was creating to develop protocols and best practices for investigating domestic violence and sexual assault. This spark set the events in motion that ultimately led to Arizona becoming the first Start by Believing state.

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Kelly Vates

CO-FOUNDER AND EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, FAIR HAVEN CENTER FOR WOMEN IN LAKE COUNTY, INDIANA

In 2001, after several appearances on the Oprah Winfrey Show, Evergreen Press published Ms. Vates’ book, “Shattered Innocence,” which exposes the devastating effects of child sexual abuse and the aftermath in adult life.

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NOMINATE A GAME CHANGER

Game Changers work to create positive change for victims of gender-based violence in their communities. They transform the way we respond to these crimes, so victims can begin the long path toward justice and healing. Do you know a Game Changer?

A Game Changer is someone who:

  • Sparks a new way of doing things
  • Makes a difference for victims and their loved ones
  • Inspires others to join the movement