Surviving Across Borders: Immigration and Sexual Violence

by Betsy Serrano, TSS Group Member Note: Throughout this post, the terms “migrant”, “immigrant”, and “undocumented” are used. They are not universal labels, as each term represents a different experience. They are used intentionally to specific contexts and cited research. During Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM), it’s important to examine the intersection of migration andContinue reading “Surviving Across Borders: Immigration and Sexual Violence”

Taking Trauma Research Public, #SAAM2026 Edition

April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month (#SAAM). Translating the awareness that we build each April into action is essential to preventing and responding to sexual assault in our communities. Our Traumatic Stress Studies (TSS) Group team believes that research has an important role to play in translating research into action. But that research has toContinue reading “Taking Trauma Research Public, #SAAM2026 Edition”

Economic Costs of Sexual Violence: #SAAM2026

by Amber Fredrick, TSS Group Member Among the many burdens of sexual assault are the economic costs. For example: The economic impacts of sexual violence are shaped by intersectionality. For instance: Discrimination or fear of stigma can delay essential care, which means: Sexual assault also costs communities. Consider, for example: The economic impact of sexualContinue reading “Economic Costs of Sexual Violence: #SAAM2026”

Making Sense of Silence after Abuse: Understanding Research on Betrayal Trauma

Survivors don’t owe anyone their stories. Yet, when women do decide to share their stories years later, the delay can be used to sow doubt — to wonder why it took so long to for them to disclose what happened. Research on betrayal trauma can help people understand silence. And research on institutional courage canContinue reading “Making Sense of Silence after Abuse: Understanding Research on Betrayal Trauma”

Voices That Matter: A New Study for Black Women Survivors of Sex Trafficking

by Courtney McCrimmon (5th Year Graduate Student) January’s National Human Trafficking Prevention Month reminded us of survivors’ resilience and the preventative efforts made to raise awareness and protect vulnerable populations from exploitation.   To continue the fight against human trafficking, we must take collective action to stay well-informed, raise awareness, strengthen protective factors, and take more initiative to support survivorsContinue reading “Voices That Matter: A New Study for Black Women Survivors of Sex Trafficking”

Asthma and Intimate Partner Abuse: Getting the Word out about New Research Findings

When I talk with people about our shared interests in ending violence against women, I often point to healthcare. After all, lots of people are passionate about healthcare — from costs to access and lots in between. Those same people may not think of violence against women as their issue. Yet, one way to addressContinue reading “Asthma and Intimate Partner Abuse: Getting the Word out about New Research Findings”

Sharing Research, Discovering Momentum

by Courtney McCrimmon, 4th Year Graduate Student From Bench to Bedside and Beyond: Advancing Translational Science in Traumatic Stress Studies — that was the theme for the 40th Annual International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies (ISTSS) Meeting in Boston, MA this past September. The ISTSS Annual Meeting offers a forum for researchers to share evidence-basedContinue reading “Sharing Research, Discovering Momentum”

A Season of Change: October’s Domestic Violence Awareness Month

Change is hard. That’s the story we tell ourselves. Though it’s not the whole story. Change can also be energizing, validating, exciting. Irresistible, even. Of course, when it comes to domestic violence, change definitely seems just plain old hard. After all, intimate partner abuse remains stubbornly common, with evidence pointing to increases in recent years.Continue reading “A Season of Change: October’s Domestic Violence Awareness Month”

Hearing My Words in Someone Else’s Voice

One day, shortly after hard copies of Every 90 Seconds arrived with their periwinkle covers to my doorstep, I rounded the corner into the office I share with my spouse and stopped short. I heard familiar words — words that sounded a lot like my words — in someone else’s voice. The voice was SusanContinue reading “Hearing My Words in Someone Else’s Voice”

#SAAM Remix

Last week wrapped up Sexual Assault Awareness Month (#SAAM) for 2024. During SAAM, I shared images on social media that amplified themes from Every 90 Seconds about moving from individual awareness of the problem of sexual assault to collaborative action. With this remix, the images now appear together in the gallery below. Behind the scenes,Continue reading “#SAAM Remix”