By J.J. Smith. After six family violence deaths in the Rockwall/Rowlett area since April – plus numerous child abuse cases – community leaders have organized a 5K Run/Walk Saturday morning, Nov. 13, to raise funds for information campaigns in schools and media to prevent and end domestic, dating, child and pet abuse across Rockwall County.

The second annual Lillian Smith “Race To End Abuse” 5K/1K Walk will be held behind the Kroger food store on Arista Dr. beginning at 9 am.

The event has been organized by the non-profit Rockwall-based Lillian Smith Family Violence Foundation, which develops statewide media campaigns and school presentations to battle abuse.

Board and Advisory Council members include State Sen. Bob Deuell, Rowlett Mayor John & Debra Harper, Rockwall Bar Association President & “Texas Superlawyer” John Browning, former Dallas Morning News Editor Dawn Redig, Remington College Criminal Justice Instructor Phyllis Perez and J.J. Smith, publisher of TheRockwallNews.com.

Trophies, medals and ribbons will be awarded to the fastest male and female runners in many age groups in the 5K Race. Free T-shirts, fruit, snacks and water will be provided to participants

Online preregistration fees to walk or race are $25 for adults, $10 for children (8-12) and $30/$15 at the event.  Families with three or more members are just $50. Teams with six or more members are just $20 per person. Pre-register at www.racetoendabuse.com through Nov. 11 or register at the event.

Co-sponsors include the Rockwall Walmart Supercenter, Heritage Christian Academy, Rep. Ralph Hall, State Sen. Bob Deuell, Rockwall Co. District Attorney Kenda Culpepper, The Fulton School, Care United Medical Center, Rockwall Urgent Care, Rockwall Running Center, Curves Fitness Center, Lady of America Fitness Centers, Willis Fine Jewelry, Amish Furniture Showcase, Palio’s Pizza Café, TheRockwallNews.com, PegasusNews.com, 95.3 FM “The Range,” & 92.1 FM “The Possum.”

“The thousands of abuse survivors living in our community are especially invited to attend the event to celebrate their survivorship and remember those who have lost their lives,” said Smith, whose mother, Lillian Smith, was murdered in front of him when he was 10 by his father, her ex-husband.

“An average of three women and five children are killed every single day across America in family violence-related incidents,” he continued.

“Six family violence-related deaths have occurred in the Rockwall-Rowlett area alone since April, plus an average of five women per day contact the Women In Need women’s shelter office in Rockwall for help.”

“The family violence epidemic is the leading cause of injury to women and children in America. More women and children have been killed by family violence since 9-11 than all those who have been killed in the War On Terror – including the 3,000 who died that day and all the military deaths.

“We have to bring it to an end, and we’ll only do that by ensuring our community has the resources to protect and aid victims, plus by educating males and females how to change their unacceptable behaviors.”

According to several studies, one in four women and one in seven children are injured every year in the U.S. by family members, intimate partners, ex-spouses, parents and guardians.

For more information, visit www.RaceToEndAbuse.com or call J.J. Smith, 214-317-1718.

By J.J. Smith. Family violence, child abuse and dating abuse numbers have all skyrocketed dramatically over the past few years across Rockwall County and Texas.  

Now Heritage Christian Academy, Walmart, Rockwall ISD, Rockwall County DA Kenda Culpepper plus over a dozen more businesses, media, health care and law enforcement organizations are teaming up to raise awareness and funds for local campaigns to end abuse by co-sponsoring the first annual Lillian Smith Rockwall “Race To End Abuse” 5K/Family Fitness Walk.

The event is scheduled Oct. 31, 8-10 am, in the Kroger Food Store parking lot. Over 500 participants are expected. Runners will race 3.1 miles from Kroger to Country Club Dr. and then back to Kroger. Walkers will walk or jog one mile to Fox Chase Park and back.

Additional co-sponsors include Pepsi/Aquafina, Presbyterian Hospital of Rockwall, the Dallas Morning News Neighbors Go, TheRockwallNews.com, PegasusNews.com, Rockwall Enterprise-Success, Radio stations 93.5 FM “The Range” and 92.1 FM “The Possum,” Eclipse Fitness, Rockwall Running Center, Lady of America Fitness Clubs, Joe Willy’s and Taco Casa.

More co-sponsors can still participate with cash and/or in-kind donations of between $500 and $3,000. In return, co-sponsors receive a booth at the event, plus lots of positive publicity in current and future campaigns.

Organized by the Rockwall-based Lillian Smith Family Violence Foundation, the non-profit will use funds raised for ad campaigns and video productions in local media, schools and communities to help end domestic, dating, child and family pet abuse. It is Texas’ largest network of survivors and other concerned citizens, founded and directed by Rockwall resident and marketing consultant J.J. Smith, who has worked with such leading brands as Chevrolet, CBS Radio , Exxon, Macy’s, Southwest Airlines, The Dallas Cowboys and Time Warner Cable TV during his 30-year advertising and public relations career.

He recently launched Rockwall County’s leading online news website at www.TheRockwallNews.com, plus his personal blog at www.RockwallRocks.com, which combined currently attract over 10,000 visitors per month and are growing fast.

Smith said that domestic, dating and child abuse are now so widespread that utilizing the power and reach of media – especially the Internet – is essential to reducing and preventing abuse. 

“The number of confirmed child abuse victims rocketed 79 percent across Rockwall County since 2005, according to CPS data,” he said. ‘The number has almost doubled during the past two years ago from an annual average of 45 to nearly 90.” 

“Family violence has soared 61 percent in Rockwall alone since 2004, according to Rockwall Police,” he added.  “The numbers have jumped from over 150 reports to 250 each year. But since national experts believe that only about 25 percent of assaults are actually reported, the numbers are most likely four times higher.”

“We also understand an average of five local women per day meet with domestic violence counselors from the Greenville-based Women In Need women’s shelter. Rockwall County needs to financially support WIN, for the good of the community. “

Smith emphasized that dating violence is now so out of control in Texas that the State legislature passed a law in 2007 requiring all public school districts to develop anti-dating abuse programs.

“Three in four young Texans, 16-24, have either experienced dating abuse or know someone who has, according to a 2006 study conducted with the Texas Attorney General’s office,” he explained. “That’s much higher than the national average of one in three teens and young adults, so we definitely have a very serious epidemic on our hands.”

“We’ve been assisting Rockwall ISD for several months and will soon begin helping Heritage Christian Academy to develop excellent programs. Then we’ll look for other school districts and private schools which want our help.”  

Lillian Smith anti-abuse campaign ads, news articles and Internet videos will soon begin appearing in local newspapers, billboards, movie theaters and on local websites featuring a variety of prevention -oriented messages which Smith, other marketing professionals and abuse survivors from across DFW are developing.

Adults, seniors, children and families who want to race or walk can obtain information and registration details online at www.racetoendabuse.com or by calling 214-256-4071, seven days a week,from 8am-10 pm.

More sponsors and volunteers are currently needed and should also contact Smith by visiting the same website or calling the same phone number as above.