Trauma, Violence, and Reproductive Justice

Abstract
The links between trauma, violence, and reproductive autonomy are unequivocal, as recently explored in a special issue of the Journal of Trauma & Dissociation. Indeed, researchers and practitioners have identified reproductive coercion as a form of intimate violence where perpetrators exploit their partners’ reproductive autonomy to exert power and control. Even as research has increased on the prevalence and consequences of reproductive coercion, legal decisions and state policies in the United States have undercut access to reproductive autonomy and access to reproductive healthcare. Meanwhile, reproductive justice continues to be largely treated as a women’s issue despite its impact on the health and wellbeing of people of all genders and communities, more broadly. This workshop builds on the Journal of Trauma & Dissociation special issue to explore how emerging research and theory on the intersection of trauma, violence, and reproductive justice can inform practice and policy. We will make explicit the intersections of reproductive coercion and reproductive justice. We will consider research documenting that marginalized and minoritized groups are disproportionately affected by reproductive coercion and implications for policy as well as introduce evidence-based approaches to assess for reproductive coercion in clinical practice. Drawing on research theory, we will then explore the unique role that researchers and practitioners can play in advocating for reproductive justice, given their self-interests and impacts on clients. Drawing on lessons from other social movements, we will explore how to use research and clinical observations to tell the story of impact of reproductive coercion to build an ever-expanding network of people who see themselves as having an interest in advancing reproductive justice. The webinar will offer specific steps and skills for building collaborations for change, drawing on lessons from the book Every 90 Seconds: Our Common Cause Ending Violence against Women and the presenters’ experiences in community-engaged research for change.

Potential to Distress: No

This webinar was orginally presented as a live webinar in June 2025.

Target Audience

Beginning/Introductory

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this webinar, participants will be able to:

    • Describe research and theory on reproductive coercion
    • Explain implications of research on reproductive coercion and justice for clinical considerations, such as assessment
    • Identify strategies for using research to inform policy and practice related to reproductive autonomy
    • Identify dynamics of reproductive coercion
    Course summary
    Available credit: 
    • 1.50 APA
      The International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. The International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation maintains responsibility for this program and its content.
    • 1.50 ASWB ACE
      The International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation (ISSTD), #1744, is approved as an ACE provider to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. ACE provider approval period: 08/20/2024 – 08/20/2027. Social workers completing this course receive 1.50 continuing education credits.
    • 1.50 ISSTD Certificate Program
      This program is eligible for 1.50 credits in the ISSTD Certificate Program. No certificate of completion is generated for this type of credit.
    Course opens: 
    09/20/2024
    Course expires: 
    12/31/2050
    ISSTD Member cost:
    $35.00
    Your Price:
    $55.00
    Part of: 
    2025 Webinar Pass
    Rating: 
    0

    Presenter: Maria-Ernestina Christl, PhD
    Presenter Bio: Maria-Ernestina Christl, Ph.D., earned her Doctor of Philosophy in Clinical Psychology from the University of Denver in 2024, with a specialization in Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience. Dr. Christl is currently a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Denver’s Relationship Institute and with Thriving Families Colorado. Her clinical training has centered on early childhood and trauma, with an emphasis on systems-level approaches and community-engaged work. She has held research and clinical roles in various academic and community settings focused on trauma and resilience. Dr. Christl’s research and clinical interests focus on immigrant and Spanish-speaking populations, with a particular emphasis on addressing intergenerational trauma, reproductive coercion, and institutional betrayal. She co-developed a trauma-informed intervention designed to interrupt intergenerational cycles of trauma and childhood abuse, which is currently under evaluation. Her scholarship includes co-editing a special issue of the Journal of Trauma & Dissociation and publishing in journals such as Trauma, Violence, & Abuse, Child Maltreatment, and Journal of Child and Family Studies. She frequently presents at national conferences, including the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies (ISTSS), the American Psychological Association (APA), and the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies (ABCT). 

    Presenter: Anne P. DePrince, PhD
    Presenter Bio:  Dr. DePrince is currently a distinguished university professor in the Psychology Department at the University of Denver, where she also serves as Associate Vice Provost of Public Good Strategy and Research. She received her doctorate in psychology from the University of Oregon and completed her clinical internship at the University of Washington Medical Center. Author of “Every 90 Seconds: Our Common Cause Ending Violence against Women,” she is an expert in trauma and intimate violence. Using a community-engaged approach, DePrince emphasizes working with community partners to identify research questions that can inform policy and practice while advancing scientific understanding of trauma outcomes and interventions. She has authored more than one hundred manuscripts on trauma; co-edited volumes on trauma, including a 2023 special issue of the Journal of Trauma & Dissociation on trauma, violence, and reproductive autonomy; and serves as an Associate Editor of the Journal of Trauma & Dissociation. Her research was recognized by the Department of Justice with the Vision 21 Crime Victims Research Award for her contributions to the nation’s understanding of crime victims’ issues. She is a member of ISSTD as well as the American Psychological Association and the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies. You can learn more about Anne at her website (https://annedeprince.com/) and through her research team's blog (https://traumaresearchnotes.blog/).

    Presenter: Heather L. McCauley, ScD
    Presenter Bio: Dr. Heather McCauley is an Associate Professor of Social Work, federally funded violence prevention researcher, and co-director of SPARK for Change at Michigan State University (MSU). She earned her Master of Science in Global Health (2008) and Doctor of Science in Social Epidemiology (2012) from Harvard University. Prior to MSU, she was an Assistant Professor at University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine in the Departments of Pediatrics and Psychiatry. She has authored or co-authored more than 100 journal articles and book chapters in outlets spanning a variety of health and social science disciplines. She was also an Executive Producer on the Emmy nominated documentary, “Sparking Communities for Change:  Michigan,” and the documentary “Sparking Hope: The Power of Improv,” both produced by Detroit PBS. Dr. McCauley is the 2023 recipient of the MSU College of Social Science Outstanding Teaching Award for her dedication to and excellence in undergraduate education. Nationally, she serves on the editorial board for Journal of Family Violence. She is a member of the Society for Social Work & Research, and a grant reviewer for CDC, NIJ, and NIH. Since 2013, Dr. McCauley has served on the Board of Trustees at St. Lawrence University.

    Available Credit

    • 1.50 APA
      The International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. The International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation maintains responsibility for this program and its content.
    • 1.50 ASWB ACE
      The International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation (ISSTD), #1744, is approved as an ACE provider to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. ACE provider approval period: 08/20/2024 – 08/20/2027. Social workers completing this course receive 1.50 continuing education credits.
    • 1.50 ISSTD Certificate Program
      This program is eligible for 1.50 credits in the ISSTD Certificate Program. No certificate of completion is generated for this type of credit.

    Price

    ISSTD Member cost:
    $35.00
    Your Price:
    $55.00
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    • ISSTD defines a student as those enrolled in a program of study leading to a degree or certification in the mental health field and who have an interest in trauma and dissociation. 
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