معرفی
Rochelle Stevenson is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Sociology and Anthropology at Thompson Rivers University (TRU). A criminologist with a PhD from the University of Windsor, she specializes in the intersection of domestic violence and animal cruelty. Her work focuses on understanding how animal abuse functions as a form of power and control in intimate partner violence, advocating for policy changes to protect both victims and their pets.
Education includes a PhD in Sociology (2018, University of Windsor), MA in Criminology (2012, University of Ottawa), and BA (Hons) in Criminology (2009, Simon Fraser University). She is a core member of the Animal and Interpersonal Abuse Research Group, which has conducted groundbreaking studies on the link between pet abuse and domestic violence.
Research highlights include demonstrating that 54% of abused women delay leaving violent relationships due to pet safety concerns. Her advocacy drives development of Safe Pet programs for domestic violence shelters, fostering collaboration between human and animal welfare sectors. Recent work includes a national census of domestic violence shelters' pet-related policies, funded by a major grant.
Stevenson also explores perpetrators' perspectives through interviews with incarcerated men, aiming to understand motivations behind abuse. She emphasizes the need for trauma-informed practices among animal protection workers and seeks to create inclusive support systems for all victims of violence.
