Supporters’ Stories

"Victims of crime aren't always informed about the process."

Phil McLendon is the owner and founder of Absolute Moving Services, LLC, located just outside of Memphis, Tennessee. Founded in 2012, Absolute Moving has become one of the fastest-growing small moving businesses in the Mid South. His company has helped dozens of women and children escape from violent households. His company also collects furniture and household goods that are donated from clients and delivers them when needed to these families who are starting over. This has become a mission for Absolute Moving Services, which Phil termed #ShatterTheSilence. With over 16,000 fans and followers on his social media pages, Phil has used his platform to bring about awareness to domestic violence. He shares messages of hope, survivor stories, and some of the personal experiences his company has had with these survivors, who have become an inspiration and beacon of strength and resilience for Phil and his employees. All of Phil's moving trucks and company uniforms have a purple ribbon and custom #ShatterTheSilence logo on them, so that everywhere they go, locally and nationally, people will know what they stand for, as they bring about awareness to this issue and promote change. Phil's goal is to continue growing this mission and to establish a vast network of moving companies across the U.S. who are dedicated to helping those living in a violent household and looking for a way out. Phil's motto is "no survivor left behind" and he is committed to making himself and his resources available at no cost to anyone affected by domestic violence - no matter the time, the place, or the circumstance.

Dorislee Gilbert is the Executive Director of the Mary Byron Project (MBP), a non-profit organization dedicated to enhancing justice to end intimate partner violence. Dorislee is an experienced attorney who is leading MBP’s appellate advocacy program providing appellate legal representation to survivors of intimate partner violence in civil appeals related to intimate partner violence. For fifteen years before joining MBP, Dorislee was a felony prosecutor in the Commonwealth of Kentucky. During that time she tried more than 25 cases before juries, handled more than 75 cases in Kentucky’s Appellate Courts, and argued multiple times before Kentucky’s Supreme Court. Dorislee has interacted with, conferred with, and assisted hundreds of victims of crime during her career. In 2019, she was named Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney of the Year.

Donna Pollard dares to believe in a world where young girls can be free from abuse and exploitation. A native of Kentucky -- a state burdened with thousands of cases of abuse and a history of child marriage -- she is leading the charge for change.

John W. Gillis has a long and distinguished career in criminal justice, including victims’ issues. After working as a police officer for two years with the New York Port Authority, Gillis served with the Los Angeles Police Department for more than twenty-six years, retiring in 1988 at the rank of lieutenant. Gillis was nominated by President George W. Bush and confirmed by the U.S. Senate in September 2001 as the National Director, Office for Victims of Crime, U. S. Department of Justice. On October 3, 2011 (in Phoenix, Arizona) Maricopa County Attorney Bill Montgomery appointed John W. Gillis as the new Chief of the County Attorney’s Victim Services Division.

Iowa’s victims’ rights amendment grants equal rights under the constitution. It does not take away any rights from the accused.

State Investigator Kristen Liberto understands the need for stronger crime victims’ rights in Mississippi. Victims of crime deserve more from Mississippi’s criminal justice system.

As a marriage and family therapist, Tara Mills understands the need for equal victims’ rights.

Sheriff Travis Patten has seen firsthand the need for stronger crime victims’ rights in Mississippi. Marsy’s Law will ensure victims of crime have a voice in the criminal justice system.