Face Forward Helps Victims of Violence Start Anew

One-third of women in the world have experienced physical, sexual, emotional, or other abuse in their lifetime. About two-thirds of reported domestic violence incidents are categorized as “simple assaults,” yet up to 50 percent of these “simple assaults” leave victims with physical injuries, disfigurements, and scars. These remind the victim of the abusive event and cause physical and psychological pain that is oftentimes more agonizing than the event itself, causing them to feel ashamed and unable to fully recover and move forward.

Face Forward, a Beverly Hills non-profit, is on a mission to help victims of violence find a new beginning. Founded in 2007 by Deborah and David Alessi, Face Forward provides free physical and emotional reconstruction for women and children who have been victims of domestic or gang violence. Face Forward works with community leaders around the US to find victims of violence who are working towards recovery and are living with physical evidence of past abuse. The charity provides facial reconstructive services for these individuals, as well as partners with local community centers that offer complementary housing, counseling, legal assistance, and job searches. Face Forward ensures that more than 90 percent of all donations go toward victim treatment and recovery.



Prior to establishing Face Forward, the Alessis have long supported charitable initiatives and have served as board members and benefactors of many non-profit organizations. Now the CEO of Face Forward, Mrs. Alessi, a Scottish-born businesswoman, previously worked in the aviation industry and managed the Royal Family of Bahrain's fleet of private aircraft. Her husband, Dr. Alessi, began his practice in facial plastic reconstructive surgery and head and neck disorders more than two decades ago. For years, he cared for several indigent trauma patients when no other doctor would. Mrs. Alessi realized that these patients not only required physical reconstruction but emotional support as well. She and her husband founded Face Forward to provide both.