Victim Researcher Profile

BIO

Dr. Richards has extensive research and evaluation experience regarding intimate partner violence and sexual violence. She has previously completed research on the cycle of IPV, the impact of child maltreatment on later IPV victimization and offending, and the overlap between victimization and offending. She has also investigated the impact of using the lethality assessment program with victims of intimate partner violence on their service access and utilization. Some of her funded research includes an analyses of long-term recidivism and treatment discharge data for more than 3,000 domestic violence offenders in Colorado; survey and interview data collection with treatment providers, domestic violence probation officers, and treatment victim advocates in Colorado; an examination of victim advocates in multi-disciplinary treatment teams for domestic violence offender supervision; and implementation analysis of Colorado’s state standards for domestic violence offender treatment programs. Dr. Richards has also served as Principal Investigator for both a process analysis of Maryland Abuser Intervention Programs (AIPs) and an analysis of recidivism reduction by Maryland AIPs. For both projects, Richards served as the liaison for MD AIPs, completed provider interviews, and client file reviews. As such, Dr. Richards has an in-depth understanding of the AIP's mission, goals, and processes. Regarding sexual assault, Dr. Richards has published extensively on the prevalence, context, and outcomes associated with sexual assault among college students; federal, state, and institutional policies and procedures for Title IX, Clery Act, and Campus SaVE; and institutional responses to sexual assault. She is also currently consulting on VOCA-funded grant to improves responses to gender-based violence at tribal colleges and universities. Richards is an active participant/contributor to the Omaha Sexual Assault Response Team, the Sexual Assault Kit Working Group, and the Domestic Violence Community Response Team.

VICTIMIZATION FOCUS

Campus Sexual Assault, Child Abuse and Sexual Abuse, Domestic and Family Violence

SPECIAL POPULATIONS

American Indian and Alaska Native (tribal) victims, Child victims, NEBRASKA

RESEARCH EXPERTISE

Action research, Community-based participatory research, Descriptive studies, Ethnography, Needs assessment, Program evaluation, Qualitative studies, Quantitative studies, Quasi-experimental studies, Randomized controlled trial, Training and/or technical assistance

VICTIM RESEARCH EXPERIENCE

Action research, Community-based participatory research, Data collection, Descriptive studies, Needs assessment, Program evaluation, Qualitative studies, Quantitative studies, Quasi-experimental studies, Randomized controlled trial, Training and/or technical assistance