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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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