September 26, 2022

ATLANTA -  The Georgia Commission on Family Violence (GCFV) recognizes leaders in social justice who work for the betterment of women in Georgia through the Gender Justice Award. 

This year’s Gender Justice Award recipient is Kristy Carter. 

Recipients of this award are chosen based on their history of increasing safety for victims and survivors of domestic violence, enhancing accountability of batterers, and making systemic changes to laws in Georgia – all to eliminate gender inequality.

“The Commission is thrilled to recognize Kristy Carter as the 2022 Gender Justice Award recipient. Mrs. Carter has demonstrated tireless leadership and service to our state through her stewardship and advocacy on behalf of the state of Georgia. Without her championing our cause at the federal government level, domestic violence and sexual assault programs in the state of Georgia would have had to greatly reduce the capacity of services that are so crucial for many of our citizens. We are grateful for her work in Georgia, as well as the expertise she brings to supporting our front-line advocates,” said Stephanie Woodard, Chair of the Georgia Commission on Family Violence.

Kristy Carter, J.D., is the Victim Assistance Division Director and Grants Administrator for the Georgia Criminal Justice Coordinating Council. Carter specializes in grants that support intervention and prevention services for victims of child abuse, sexual assault, domestic violence, and trafficking. Carter works with stakeholders and advocates to improve systematic responses to child abuse, sexual assault, domestic violence and trafficking with the goal of building the capacity of communities to serve victimsof abuse. Carter has been administering state and federal grants for ten years in Georgia, and is Georgia’s S.T.O.P. administrator, FVPSA administrator, and VOCA administrator.

A graduate of Mississippi College School of Law and the University of Georgia, she began working with victims of crime more than a decade ago. She also has experience working in juvenile courts and the child welfare system.

In response to  receiving the award, Carter stated, “I wake up every day thrilled to support and partner with these programs who work day in and out helping survivors overcome the barriers they face accessing help in the wake of violence. Those that are at the epicenter of tragedies and those that are walking through them deserve our thanks and steadfast support, and I am profoundly grateful that I get to lead a team that works to that end.

“I envision a Georgia in which all victims and survivors of crime can access rights and high-quality, culturally responsive, and trauma-informed services that are reflective of our diverse communities.”

The Commission’s 28th annual family violence conference was held in Athens on September 25-28, 2022. The theme of this year’s conference was, “Widening the Lens: An Inclusive Response to Domestic Violence”. More than 650 local and national stakeholders attended the conference, including judges, prosecutors, law enforcement, advocates, survivors, faith leaders, counselors and community members.

About GCFV: The Georgia Commission on Family Violence, created by The Georgia General Assembly in 1992, 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.


Press Contact: April Ross, [email protected]