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.

Lifetime Achievement in Legal Education and Policy Reform for Child Maltreatment and IPV

This award is given to an individual who best exemplifies compassion, wisdom, and dedication to survivors of child maltreatment and intimate partner violence. This award is presented to Richard Ducote, LLM., an attorney with 47 years of experience practicing law. Mr. Ducote has written over 25 state laws enacted throughout the US to protect abused children and survivors of intimate partner violence in custody cases. Mr. Ducote has supported countless people through his work.

Lifetime Achievement in IPV Prevention and Intervention

This award is given to an individual who has dedicated so many years to preventing and supporting those impacted by intimate partner violence. This award is presented to Dr. Oliver Williams, a professor with over 40 years of experience working in the field of domestic violence. Dr. Williams has served on multiple domestic violence groups, including as Director of the Safe Return Initiative, Director of the African American Domestic Peace Project, and as Executive Director of the Institute on Domestic Violence in the African American Community.

Lifetime Achievement in Youth Violence Prevention and Peace Building

This award is given to an individual who has spent decades working to prevent youth violence and build peace throughout the world. This award is presented to Azim Khamisa, a globally recognized peacemaker and Founder/Chief Executive Officer of Peace Thru Forgiveness. Throughout the last 30 years with the Tariq Khamisa Foundation, Azim has delivered hundreds of keynote speeches and changed countless lives.

Linda Saltzman Award

This award is in memory of Linda Saltzman, who dedicated her life to ending intimate partner violence through continued research by recognizing new or established researchers who have made substantial contributions in this field. This award is presented to Jennifer M. Gómez, Ph.D., who is an Assistant Professor at the School of Social Work and Faculty Affiliate at the Center for Innovation in Social Work & Health at Boston University. Dr. Gómez’s research has been published in over 100 peer-reviewed journals, books, newsletters, regional and national media outlets, and the Open Science Framework.

Lifetime Achievement in Gender Based Violence Prevention and Intervention

This award is given to an individual who has worked diligently to prevent and support survivors impacted by gender-based violence. This award is presented to Lynn Rosenthal, MPA who has fought for survivors’ rights in a multitude of spaces, including the US Department of Health and Human Services and the US Military. Lynn was the first-ever White House Advisor on Violence Against Women and paved the way for many future advocates. We at IVAT are honored to celebrate all the work Lynn has done for survivors of gender-based violence!

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. Gail is a Distinguished Professor of Psychology, Emerita, at the University of California, Davis. Her research has been cited in U.S. Supreme Court decisions and has impacted countless lives. We thank Gail for all her dedication and hard work to support survivors of child sexual abuse!

Volunteer of the Year Award

This award is presented to Joy Johnson-Green, PhD, who has performed above and beyond volunteer work to support IVAT. Dr. Johnson-Green has over 35 years of experience in domestic violence prevention and has touched countless lives with her work both nationally and internationally. Her dedication and excitement to being involved with IVAT is greatly appreciated!

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. This award is presented to Carole Warshaw, MD, an internationally recognized expert on the intersection of domestic violence, trauma, substance use, and mental health. With over 40 years of experience, Dr. Warshaw has been instrumental in the formulation of a trauma-informed social justice approach.

Distinguished Service and Excellence in Film 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 award is presented to Dr. Carolyn West, a Professor of Clinical Psychology at the University of Washington. Dr. West is an international speaker, filmmaker, author, domestic violence expert, cultural sensitivity trainer, and expert witness. She was a writer and producer of Let Me Tell Ya’ll Bout Black Chicks: Images of Black Women in Pornography and made appearances in Subjects of Desire, Chris Brown: A History of Violence, and Diddy: The Making of a Bad Boy. We thank her for her amazing work in spreading awareness about interpersonal violence!

Congratulations to our 2025 Awardees!