CONTACT - Volume 8, Number 2
Honor Society News

Lambda Chi Research Conference

On February 16, 2001, Lambda Chi, one of four chapters in the Sigma Theta Tau International South Florida Consortium, co-sponsored a research conference titled "Victimology: Understanding and Caring for Survivors of Violence". The purpose of the conference was to encourage a coordinated and therapeutic approach by health care providers in their efforts to help survivors of violence in their process of coping and healing.

Dr. Ann Wolbert Burgess, RN, DNSc, CS, FAAN, currently professor without term at Boston College, was the keynote speaker for the conference. Dr. Burgess is an internationally recognized expert in the study of victims of violence. She is the 1999 recipient of the Episteme Award, the most prestigious research award given by Sigma Theta Tau International for a body of work. She is an expert on sexual assault including rape trauma syndrome. Dr. Burgess is the author of 19 books on psychiatric nursing, crisis intervention, and assessment and treatment of sexual assault victims and offenders. She co-authored over 100 articles and chapters on rape victimology. Dr. Burgess's keynote address was on current issues and treatment of victims of sexual assault. She also presented on two other topics focusing on the "Neurobiology of Trauma" and "Cases in Forensic Science".

Those attending the conference also heard presentations on related topics including a report on domestic abuse by a speaker from the Miami-Dade County State Attorney's office and several research sessions by nurses. Especially well received was a panel discussion that concluded the conference. Among the panelists were spokespersons from the FBI, the Guardian Ad Litem Program, Safe-Space, the Switchboard of Miami, and a Broward County Commissioner who shared her perspective as a former victim of domestic violence. Those attending the conference found the day stimulating as well as educational.

Sue Ann Charron, Ph.D., ARNP;
Former-president, Lambda Chi