Editorial Advisory Group

The following group comprised of nationally-recognized domestic violence experts serves on the Editorial Advisory Group of DomesticShelters.org. We're exceptionally grateful for their experience, knowledge and support.

Rita Smith is a nationally recognized expert in domestic violence who has been interviewed by hundreds of newspaper reporters, appeared on many local and national radio and television news shows, including the Washington Post, USA Today, People Magazine, NPR, The Today Show, Good Morning America and Oprah Winfrey Show. She began her career in 1981 as a shelter crisis line advocate and ascended to lead the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCADV) from 1992-2014 where she established the original relationship between DomesticShelters.org and NCADV. Rita doubles as a consultant to the non-profit 501(c)3 Theresa’s Fund Inc., the founding organization of DomesticShelters.org. Smith currently serves as a senior advisor to the National Football League on policy and training issues related to domestic violence and sexual assault.

Barry Goldstein has dedicated his career to stopping violence against women and preventing the mental, emotional and physical trauma it inflicts on children. Barry is the author and co-author of several books including Scared to Leave Afraid to Stay; Representing the Domestic Violence Survivor; Domestic Violence, Abuse and Child Custody; and The Quincy Solution. He was an attorney representing victims of domestic violence for 30 years. He is a sought-after speaker, and provides workshops, judicial and other trainings regarding domestic violence particularly related to custody issues. He also serves as a consultant and expert witness.

Ken Shetter is the President and General Counsel of One Safe Place, a crime and violence prevention collaborative serving all of Tarrant County, Texas. Under his leadership, One Safe Place has established a highly successful training and education program, developed one of the most innovative and successful Crime Stoppers programs in the world, expanded the highly successful Imagine No Violence initiative and created important programs for at-risk children and youth. The One Safe Place Family Justice Center, recognized as one of the most effective and comprehensive programs of its kind, serves thousands of victims of domestic violence and their children each year. In addition to his One Safe Place duties, Mr. Shetter recently served as National Director of the National Family Justice Center Alliance, leading the effort to provide technical assistance on the development and operation of Family Justice Centers across the United States. Mr. Shetter also served as the mayor of Burleson, Texas for sixteen years where he focused on youth, education and families. During his tenure, Burleson experienced tremendous economic and population growth, was recognized by America’s Promise Alliance as one America’s top 100 communities for young people and passed innovative ordinances to protect victims of domestic violence and children exposed to domestic violence. Mr. Shetter holds a Bachelor of Science in Education from Baylor University, a Master of Arts in Applied Sociology from The American University in Washington, D.C. and a degree of Juris Doctor from Baylor Law School.