Criminology Associate Professor Dr. Joan Reid was among a small group of professors across all USF campuses to receive the Dr. Kathleen Moore Faculty Excellence Award presented by the Women in Leadership & Philanthropy program. The competitive award given to six USF faculty members each year provides funding for research and creative efforts focused on women and issues affecting women.
Dr. Reid, an expert on the issues of human trafficking and victimology, will use the $5,000 research grant to develop and field test a standardized measure for trauma bonding. Also known as "Stockholm Syndrome," trauma bonding forms when an abuser elicits fear in a victim - via kidnapping or a hostage situation or sexual abuse - and in response, the victim feels indebted to the abuser and may often develop emotional attachments. In the case of human trafficking, trauma bonding prevents survivors from leaving toxic relationships and leads to repeat exploitation for the victims.