The 31st San Diego Summit Awardees

Celebrating Great Achievements

Each year, IVAT recognizes outstanding individuals during the San Diego Summit on Violence, Abuse, and Trauma Across the Lifespan. We ask for nominations of people, who live and work within these fields and who should be honored for their contributions and achievements. This year we are pleased to announce we are again, opening the award nominations to the public.

Rosalie S. Wolf Memmorial Elder Abuse Award

The Rosalie S. Wolf Memorial Elder Abuse Award recognizes an individual or organization that has demonstrated dedication and commitment to the ideals of Rosalie S. Wolf to prevent and reduce the incidence of elder abuse and neglect through research, education, policy or practice. Lori Mars’ law practice spans over 20 years, with her work centering the intersection of law, aging, education, and elder abuse.

Veterans Resiliency in Response to Trauma Award

The Veterans Resiliency in Response to Trauma Award recognizes a veteran whose work has had a notably restorative impact on a traumatized population due to various efforts. As a Navy Chaplain for twenty-six years, he provided spiritual guidance, counseling, and emotional support to countless service members, veterans, civilians, and families navigating some of life’s most difficult moments. His work extended beyond military settings, as he also served ten years as a Correctional Chaplain for the New York State Department of Corrections, ministering to incarcerated individuals while providing hope, counseling, and rehabilitation support. Even in retirement, CAPT Downing continues to actively support veterans and their families within his community.

William Friedrich Memorial Child Sexual Abuse Research, Assessment and/or Treatment Award

This award is given to an individual who has made substantial contributions to the field of child sexual abuse. Dr. Alexander’s research and clinical work focus on violence, victimization, human sexuality, juveniles, and trauma-informed and culturally informed practice. She is an nationally recognized award-winning researcher whose work has been published in several leading journals.

Donald Fridley Memorial Award for Excellence in Training and Mentoring

This award is given to an individual that, through innovative activities, strategies, and methodologies, has contributed to the training, mentoring, and development of future generations of mental health care providers. Dr. Glaser has promoted diversity, inclusion, and belongingness on the IU Columbus campus through her teaching and mentoring of student research. Dr. Glaser’s mentoring of graduate students in their research pursuits have resulted in several grants from the Office of Student Research (OSR) and students presenting their findings at statewide conferences. These projects have focused on a variety of mental health related topics impacting people of various abilities, occupations, genders, and ethnicities.   

The Volunteer of the Year Award

The Volunteer of the Year Award is given to the person who has performed volunteer work that is above and beyond what is normally expected in such a role. The efforts put forth by the honoree show commitment to the values and goals that IVAT represents, and demonstrates a strong commitment to ending violence, abuse, and trauma. This award is presented to James DeCarli, who has performed above and beyond volunteer work to support IVAT. Dr. DeCarli has been actively involved with IVAT for many years! His dedication and excitement to helping grow our Summit through speaker recommendations, marketing, reviews, and expand our network with public health professionals with IVAT are greatly appreciated! On behalf of IVAT, we thank Dr. DeCarli for all the support he has given to our organization and are honored to present this award to such a volunteer and advocate!

Distinguished Service and Excellence in Media Award

This award is presented to an individual whose use of media has helped nationally to: (1) increase public awareness of the impact of interpersonal violence on the health status of individuals, communities, or the general population; and/or (2) alert the public to the social, political, and institutional pressures that often serve to inhibit disclosure of abuse by children or adults, and impede appropriate prosecution and treatment of child abuse or family violence once disclosure is made. This year’s award is presented to Virginia Roberts Giuffre, for her memoir, Nobody’s Girl: A Memoir of Abuse and Fighting for Justice, which details her survival and fight for justice against Jeffrey Epstein, Ghislaine Maxwell, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and other influential individuals. Her family, brother, Sky Roberts, and sister-in-law, Amanda Roberts, fiercely continue her work and advocacy. Sky and Amanda will accept this award in honor and memory of Viriginia.