Karen Holt

Karen Holt is an Associate Professor at the School of Criminal Justice, Michigan State University, with a PhD (2015), MPhil (2012), MA (2009), and BS (2007) in Criminal Justice from John Jay College of Criminal Justice and DeSales University. Based in East Lansing, MI, her research intersects sexual deviance, media influence, and sexual violence, particularly within the BDSM community.

• Educational Background: PhD, MPhil, MA in Criminal Justice from John Jay College; BS in Criminal Justice from DeSales University.

Research Focus: Explores pornography use among sexual offenders, harm dynamics in BDSM communities, situational factors in clergy abuse, and sextortion mechanisms. Her work bridges criminology with gender studies and digital forensic analysis.

Current Research Trends: Analyzes digital crime (e.g., online sextortion, incel subcultures), media framing of violence, and the role of VR in exacerbating problematic behavior. Collaborates on cold case investigations and gender-based violence through academic-practitioner networks.

Professional Affiliations: Active in the American Society of Criminology, Center for Gender in Global Context, Research Consortium on Gender-Based Violence, and the Association for the Treatment of Sexual Abusers (ATSA). Serves on ATSA Michigan chapter and Small Talk advocacy center boards.

Recent Publications: Investigate digital crime patterns, pornography's societal impact, and trauma recovery in BDSM contexts, appearing in Violence and Victims, Sexual Abuse, and Journal of Behavioral Medicine.