Victim Researcher Profile

BIO

Kristen Zaleski is a professor, psychotherapist, and researcher of sexual violence in both civilian and military settings. Current research interests include technology facilitated sexual violence, gender based violence and its connection to human rights within American society, and clinical treatments of trauma in the therapy room. She is a topic expert on sexual violence in American society, PTSD and stress response, interpersonal neurobiology, and modern day attachment theory. Dr. Zaleski's work and research experience makes her a unique authority on the micro influences of trauma on the psychological, physical, and spiritual health of an individual. Dr. Zaleski's first book, Understanding and Treating Military Sexual Trauma, is currently in its 2nd edition and is the first social work text on the topic. Oxford University Press will be publishing her next text in 2019 on the topic of transnational feminism and global violence. Dr. Zaleski is active in the clinical community of Los Angeles, often consulting or providing education to trauma providers across Southern California, and is nationally recognized for her work on sexual violence both in military communities and online. Dr. Zaleski is on the advisory board on the Center for Law and Military Policy and works with the USC Keck Human Rights Clinic providing psychological evaluations for humanitarian refugees.

VICTIMIZATION FOCUS

Campus Sexual Assault, Other Campus Crime, Child Abuse and Sexual Abuse, Computer/Internet Crimes, Sexual Abuse or Violence (other than campus sexual assault), Vicarious Trauma

SPECIAL POPULATIONS

LGBTQ victims, Male victims generally, Military personnel victims, Immigrants and refugees

RESEARCH EXPERTISE

Data collection, Program evaluation, Qualitative studies, Training and/or technical assistance

VICTIM RESEARCH EXPERIENCE

Descriptive studies, Ethnography, Qualitative studies, Randomized controlled trial, Training and/or technical assistance