ATLANTA - The Georgia Commission on Family Violence (GCFV) honored Fulton County Solicitor General Carmen Smith with the 2016 “Gender Justice Award” at the Commission’s Statewide Family Violence Conference.

Ms. Smith, who served as Chair of the Fulton County Family Violence Task Force for six years and as a member of the Georgia Commission on Family Violence for ten years, understands the important opportunity her position provides to serve victims. "The most important and rewarding part of my job as a prosecutor is seeking justice for all people regardless of their race, gender or sexual orientation. It has been my honor to work with victims, victim advocates, law enforcement and other prosecutors and I proudly accept this award on their behalf," said Ms. Smith.

The Gender Justice Award is presented to leaders in social justice who work for the betterment of women in Georgia. Past recipients have increased safety for victims and survivors of domestic violence, enhanced accountability of batterers, and made systemic changes to laws in Georgia–all in order to eliminate gender inequality.

GCFV Executive Director Jennifer Thomas said, "GCFV is pleased to recognize Carmen Smith as the 2016 Gender Justice award recipient. Ms. Smith's tireless efforts to ensure safety and justice for victims of family violence as Solicitor General of Fulton County since 1996, and her dedication to making not only her community safer but all victims in the state of Georgia safer, is inspiring and will leave a lasting legacy.”

This was the Commission’s twenty-second annual Statewide Family Violence Conference. The event was held at the Jekyll Island Convention Center in Jekyll Island, Georgia. The theme of this year’s conference was “Mending the Ties that Bind: Domestic Violence and the Family Unit.” Over 500 local and national community stakeholders including: judges, prosecutors, law enforcement, advocates, survivors, faith leaders, counselors and community members participated in the conference.

About The Georgia Commission on Family Violence: Created by the Georgia General Assembly in 1992, The Georgia Commission on Family Violence is charged with developing a comprehensive state plan for ending family violence in Georgia. If you or someone that you know is being impacted by domestic violence, call 1-800-334-2836 to speak with a domestic violence advocate.

Contact Information:

Jennifer Thomas, [email protected]