The National Sexual Violence Resource Center (NSVRC) and the Association for the Treatment and Prevention of Sexual Abuse (ATSA) have announced Dr. Alissa Ackerman as a co-recipient of the 2024 Gail Burns-Smith Award. This recognition celebrates Dr. Ackerman’s outstanding contributions to preventing sexual abuse, assault, and harassment through her innovative work in bridging survivor advocacy with sexual abuse prevention and treatment.
A Career Dedicated to Understanding and Prevention
Dr. Ackerman, an Associate Professor of Criminal Justice at California State University, Fullerton, has devoted her career to comprehensively understanding sexual offending, the impacts of sexual victimization, and restorative options for those affected by sexual harm. Her extensive research portfolio includes:
- Over 90 peer-reviewed journal articles, book chapters, and publications
- Authorship and co-editing of eight books
- Hosting the “Beyond Fear: The Sex Crimes Podcast“
- Delivering an impactful TEDx Talk in 2018: “The Importance of Connection”
Her 2016 book, Introduction to Criminal Justice: A Personal Narrative, offered a unique perspective on crime and justice, while her recent work as co-editor of Survivor Criminology: A Radical Act of Hope provides valuable insights into supporting survivors through addressing criminality.
Pioneering Restorative Justice Approaches
As the co-founder and owner of Ampersands Restorative Justice, Dr. Ackerman has been at the forefront of developing human-centered approaches to repairing and preventing harm. Her work in restorative justice has been groundbreaking, providing training and consultation on practices specifically designed to address sexual harm.
Dr. Ackerman is a co-editor and contributor to the book Healing from Sexual Violence, which proposes a new approach to working with adults who have sexually offended, integrating methods of vicarious restorative justice (VRJ). The authors advocate for a paradigm shift that moves beyond punishment to focus on accountability, empathy, and healing, emphasizing the potential for VRJ to provide a deeper understanding and closure for all parties involved.
This work further emphasizes Dr. Ackerman’s commitment to addressing the needs of survivors and exploring restorative practices that promote healing.
Bridging Communities and Fostering Understanding
Perhaps Dr. Ackerman’s most remarkable achievement is her ability to bridge the gap between the survivor community and those working in the field of treating people who have sexually abused. By sharing her own experiences, she has helped individuals in treatment understand the profound impact of abuse while demonstrating an unwavering commitment to survivors.
In her role as an educator, Dr. Ackerman has played a crucial part in shaping the next generation of law enforcement and probation officers. Her teaching emphasizes a comprehensive understanding of sexual violence and encourages students to consider a broader range of options for both survivors and those who have caused harm.
Dr. Ackerman’s selection for the Gail Burns-Smith Award is a testament to her exceptional ability to unite people and build bridges across research, practice, and policy. Her work embodies the spirit of Gail Burns-Smith, who was one of the first advocates to recognize the importance of collaboration between victim advocates and those working in sex offender management.
As we celebrate Dr. Ackerman’s achievements, we recognize her as a true pioneer in the field of sexual violence prevention and treatment. Her dedication, courage, and innovative approaches continue to inspire and drive positive change in addressing one of society’s most challenging issues.
Now Available in the On-Demand Webinar Library
Restorative Justice, Institutional Failures, and Survivor Criminology
In this webinar, Dr. Ackerman shares her experiences navigating the complexities of RJ in these challenging circumstances. She discusses how the field has grown while highlighting areas where gaps and opportunities for improvement remain. She then describes her work with Survivor Criminology, a trauma-informed approach to the study of crime and justice that stems from the lived experiences of crime survivors. Dr. Ackerman’s expertise in Survivor Criminology provides a unique perspective on addressing the needs and experiences of survivors within the criminal justice system.