Victim Researcher Profile

BIO

Dr. Melanie Otis's research focuses on the victimization of individuals and groups that are often marginalized and disenfranchised do to social injustice. Since 2010, she has been the editor of the peer-reviewed, international Journal of Gay and Lesbian Social Services. Dr. Otis has written journal articles and book chapters based on her work in the area. Among her most recent work is research on survivors' experiences of human trafficking, the relationship between neighborhood disorder and bullying perpetration, cross-cultural differences in dating violence perpetration, and the link between violent victimization and substance dependency. Current research focuses on the impact of hate crime on the mental, physical and emotional well-being of those who experience victimization, as well as the relationship between those factors and substance misuse. In addition, although Dr. Otis’s research has utilized a number of different research methodologies and analyses, she is particularly interested in utilizing quantitative data, particularly large representative databases, to better understand trends in hate crimes, particularly among those who identify as LGBTQ+, members of immigrant groups, and persons of color.

VICTIMIZATION FOCUS

Bullying, Campus Sexual Assault, Domestic and Family Violence, Drug-Related Victimization, Hate and Bias Crimes, Physical Assault (other than domestic violence or elder abuse), Sexual Abuse or Violence (other than campus sexual assault), Trafficking in Persons

SPECIAL POPULATIONS

LGBTQ victims, Older victims, Immigrants and refugees, Rural victims

RESEARCH EXPERTISE

Community-based participatory research, Data collection, Descriptive studies, Needs assessment, Program evaluation, Quantitative studies

VICTIM RESEARCH EXPERIENCE

Community-based participatory research, Data collection, Descriptive studies, Needs assessment, Program evaluation, Quantitative studies