Klacey J. Smith, Photographer, Artist, & Author

In my last marriage, my youngest son and I were victims not only of Domestic Violence at the hands of my then New York born husband, but, also, we were victims of a very corrupt and dysfunctional judicial system and its supporters such as Child Protective Services, a GAL attorney, and all those presumed to protect such victims.  As you may or may not know, one of the symptoms of over whelming trauma and stress is the potential for a decrease in short term memory.  Where my son and I were having some symptoms, I sought evaluation at a local "Brain," franchise who promised to help improve such deficits no matter how extensive.  Upon being questioned over the phone by the answering employee, and where I believed this was a legitimate healthcare facility, I proceeded to divulge what I believed was the original source of our problems, namely the domestic violence and all the corruption my youngest son and I had experienced.  I told the lady how my son had been given, at three and a half years old, to the very drug addict, alcoholic, and mentally ill man that had abused all of us, how those presumed to protect us had fabricated false allegations against me without supporting evidence, and how my evidence of domestic violence was inappropriately deemed inadmissible.    

    Immediately, in a panicked fashion the lady on the other end of the phone urged me, "Oh no, don't tell that when you come," "Our owner doesn't like that sort of stuff," "Domestic violence is a dirty word here if you know what I mean?"  She went on to describe how their franchise was not meant "For those kinds of people."  It became immediately apparent to me that even in this day and age, to many ignorant people, domestic violence continues to be a "Dirty word."  Not something to be addressed, not a time for victims to be protected, but to brush under the carpet and pretend it doesn't exist.  As far as the judicial system and its supporters are concerned, it is an opportunity to make money for all, from the attorneys that fight the case, the department of Child Protective Services that seek to grab all the children involved, drug them up unnecessarily and throw them into foster care, assume custody themselves, and then throw the children in state and county facilities where they can then claim greater funds from the Feds.

    If you would like to share your story with me I would love to hear it, and all communication to me is strictly confidential.  Simply contact me through the form available on this website, and I will answer you as soon as I can.  In the meantime, God bless you and your family in whatever trials and tribulations you maybe enduring, but please find a safe escape, and please get some help for you and your children.