AUSTIN, Texas—April is recognized nationally as Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Throughout the month, the Center for Women’s and Gender Studies, the Institute on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault in the School of Social Work and student organizations at The University of Texas at Austin will sponsor programs to increase awareness about the impact of sexual violence. To find out more, visit the Center for Women’s and Gender Studies calendar.
The following experts are available to discuss their research on women’s health issues related to sexual assault, domestic violence and the role gender plays in society.
PSYCHOLOGY OF FEMALE SEXUALITY
Cindy Meston
Associate Professor, Department of Psychology
512-232-4644
meston@psy.utexas.edu
Meston is the director of the Female Sexual Psychophysiology Lab at the university and associate editor for the Journal of Sexual Medicine. Her research focuses on how sexual abuse affects sexual function in women. Meston’s research has attracted the attention of national media such as The New York Times, Newsweek and ABC’s 20/20.
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
Sarah Buel
Clinical Professor, School of Law
512-232-9326
sbuel@law.utexas.edu
Buel has worked with battered women, abused children and juveniles in the legal system for 30 years. She also directs the Domestic Violence Clinic. As co-founder of the university Voices Against Violence program, she has developed comprehensive counseling and advocacy services for survivors of sexual assault, relationship violence and stalking. As a domestic violence survivor, Buel is committed to improving the court and community response to abuse victims.
SEXUAL ASSAULT
Noel Bridge Busch
Assistant Professor, School of Social Work
512-471-3198
nbusch@mail.utexas.edu
Busch is the principal investigator for the Institute on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault. Since joining the university six years ago, Busch has managed more than $1.4 million of external funding and directed research for the Office of the Attorney General, the Texas Association Against Sexual Assault and the Texas Health and Human Service Commission.
CHILDHOOD SEXUAL ABUSE
Regina Johnson
Assistant Professor, School of Nursing
512-475-6351
rjjohnson@mail.utexas.edu
Johnson is an assistant professor of family and public health nursing. Her research focuses on childhood sexual victimization (especially males), domestic violence and sexual assault among at-risk populations. In 2003, the National Institute of Health awarded Johnson a grant to explore sexual risk behaviors and gender differences among homeless adolescents.
SEXUAL VIOLENCE IN IMMIGRANT POPULATIONS
Gloria Gonzalez-Lopez
Assistant Professor, Department of Sociology
512-232-6343
gloria386@mail.la.utexas.edu
Gonzalez-Lopez explores sexual violence, virginity, incest, masculinity and gender issues in Mexican immigrant populations. She is the author of "Erotic Journeys: Mexican Immigrants and Their Sex Lives" and the chapter "Nunca he dejado de tener terror: Sexual Violence in the Lives of Mexican Immigrant Women" in the forthcoming book "Women in the U.S-Mexico Borderlands."
GENDER POLITICS
Gretchen Ritter
Director, Center for Women’s and Gender Studies
Associate Professor, Department of Government
512-471-5149
ritter@mail.utexas.edu
Ritter specializes in gender politics, feminist theory and political identity. In "The Constitution as Social Design," Ritter examines how women’s struggles for equality are both inspired by the Constitution and the social roles it creates. As director of the Center for Women’s and Gender Studies, she leads the largest interdisciplinary center on campus with 250 faculty affiliates.
PORNOGRAPHY AND MASCULINITY
Robert Jensen
Associate Professor, School of Journalism
512-471-1990
rjensen@uts.cc.utexas.edu
Jensen is an expert on pornography and the radical feminist critique of sexuality. He is the author of the forthcoming book "Pornography and the End of Masculinity" and co-author with Gail Dines and Ann Russo of "Pornography: The Production and Consumption of Inequality."
PSYCHOLOGY OF MATING AND MURDER
David Buss
Professor, Department of Psychology
512-475-8489
dbuss@psy.utexas.edu
Buss studies the psychology of mating and murder in intimate relationships. He is the author of "The Murderer Next Door: Why the Mind is Designed to Kill," which examines the underlying motives for murder, including infidelity and sexual abuse.
SEXUAL HARASSMENT IN THE WORKPLACE
Christine Williams
Professor, Department of Sociology
512-232-6321
clw@mail.la.utexas.edu
Williams’ research focuses on gender roles, inequality and sexuality in the workplace. She has studied sexual harassment and discrimination in a variety of workplace settings. Williams edited the journal Gender and Society from 2003 to 2006.
FEMALE SEXUALITY IN LITERATURE
Lisa Moore
Associate Professor, Department of English
512-471-1837
llmoore@mail.utexas.edu
Moore is a leading scholar in women’s and gender studies, including feminist and queer theory and the history of sexuality in literature. As a politically active feminist, Moore is involved in performance art and volunteers with the Austin Independent School District.
For more information contact: Jennifer McAndrew, public affairs specialist, College of Liberal Arts, 512-232-4730; Gretchen Ritter, director, Center for Women’s and Gender Studies, 512-471-5149.
