The American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery’s FACE TO FACE humanitarian program is partnering with Break the Silence Foundation (BTSF), a non-profit organization that provides participants with the necessary tools to help them end the cycle of domestic abuse and regain their lives.

BTSF provides educational workshops and workforce development while FACE TO FACE addresses the outward scars of past trauma through pro bono facial plastic and reconstructive surgery for domestic violence survivors to repair injuries of the face, head and neck caused by an intimate partner or spouse. 

FACE TO FACE will now work with BTSF to screen candidates, review applications and assign a participating volunteer facial plastic surgeon to eligible candidates. FACE TO FACE and BTSF have a rigorous screening process, which includes:

  1. The applicant must have received the physical injuries from an abusive intimate partner, spouse, parent or sibling.
  2. The applicant must be out of the situation for at least twelve months.
  3. All applicants must have had contact with a domestic violence advocate, social worker, case manager, counselor, faith leader or therapist a minimum of (2) two times and this individual or organization must provide a typed letter summarizing the applicant’s readiness to begin the physical aspects of your healing process.

 “Our FACE TO FACE surgeons volunteer their time and skills to help victims of domestic violence who have suffered facial trauma,” says Poughkeepsie, NY-based facial plastic surgeon Manoj T. Abraham, MD, Chair of FACE TO FACE. “FACE TO FACE has helped more than 1,000 women since its inception in 1994, and we are excited to continue our work and broaden our impact with this new partnership with BTSF. October is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, making this the perfect time to draw much-needed attention to our life-changing mission.”

 “This partnership allows Break the Silence Foundation to continue to play a part in helping domestic violence survivors heal both emotionally and physically,” says Anita Alvarez, Board Chair of Break The Silence Foundation. “We are honored to be joining the AAFPRS in this endeavor.”

To learn more about FACE TO FACE or to apply to the program, visit FTF Domestic Violence or call Karen Sloat, Program Administrator, 703-650-9226.