A compassionate approach to healing childhood sexual abuse
by Karen A. Duncan, M.A., LMFT, LSW

Karen A. Duncan, M.A., LSW, LMFT is a licensed therapist, author and clinical educator known for her advocacy work with women and children in the treatment and prevention of sexual abuse and family violence. Ms. Duncan specializes in the development of gender-responsive programs to heal and further prevent interpersonal trauma and violence. Her research interests focus on the impact of sexual victimization to women's health and well-being and developing a protocol for the safe reunification of children with their families after sexual abuse has occurred. Her current focus is the development of trauma recovery programs within substance abuse treatment, the integration of trauma treatment for women and girls within the criminal justice system with a special focus on intergenerational prevention and treatment, and educational programs for foster care families who care for children who have experienced family sexual abuse. Her protocols for family reunification, dual treatment for trauma and substance abuse and primary prevention education combined with trauma treatment are research based and clinically applicable to achieve evidence based outcomes. She is interested in applying a social marketing approach to primary prevention education in order to change core beliefs and attitudes within families and communities about reporting sexual abuse and seeking treatment rather than silencing victims and holding perpetrators accountable for changing their behavior.

Ms. Duncan conducts national workshops and keynote presentations on such topics as understanding the relationship between sexual trauma and substance abuse and implementing co-treatment programs for women and girls, achieving safe family reunification, identifying the link between sexual trauma and prolonged post-partum depression, the impact of sexual trauma and family violence on women's health and effective screening within the healthcare system and preventing the intergenerational pathway of sexual abuse and family violence with primary prevention education for parents and families. Ms. Duncan is a dynamic speaker whose approach is caring, compassionate, practical and sensitive as she shares her wealth of knowledge based on her twenty-two years of clinical experience. Audiences enjoy her personal anecdotes, positive approach to healing and her first-hand experience working with women, children and families. Ms. Duncan's personal experience with sexual victimization and the ability to heal is evident in her approach and personal style, which enables her to connect with her audience.

Educated at Ball State University and Elmhurst College, Ms. Duncan received her Master of Arts Degree in Clinical Psychology in 1980. She is licensed by the state of Indiana in social work and marriage and family therapy. She has served as Adjunct Faculty at Marian College and Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis in the departments of psychology and women studies. Ms. Duncan was awarded Diplomate status in the American Psychotherapy Association, and she is a member of the National Association of Social Workers, Association for Traumatic Stress Specialists, American Professional Society on the Abuse of Children, American Mental Health Counselors Association, American Counseling Association, Association of Women in Psychology, Association for Humanistic Psychology, and Mid-West Regional Network for Intervention With Sex Offenders. She received the 2005 Social Worker of the Year Award for Region 7 from the National Association of Social Workers-Indiana.

Her book "Healing from the Trauma of Childhood Sexual Abuse: The Journey for Women" (Praeger, 2004) discusses the prolonged problems experienced from sexual abuse, advocates for prevention education for parents and within families, supports and encourages holistic healing within a therapeutic process, explains traumatic memory and discusses how women face a moral and legal challenge to expose perpetrators who are protected against prosecution by existing state statutes of limitation. Readers will find important information about healthy family characteristics, managing anxiety and dissolving rage and anger. Ms. Duncan has written several articles on interpersonal trauma that include "Bully Abuse: How Children Harm Other Children" and "The Forgotten Victims: Women, Trauma and the Criminal Justice System" published in Counseling Today and "Premises of Treatment for Child Sexual Abuse: An Overview of A Protocol for Women" appeared in Indiana Update a publication of the Indiana Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers. Duncan is the author of a comprehensive adult education program in the prevention of child sexual abuse entitled "The Right To Be Safe: Adult Education to Prevent Child Sexual Abuse" (RTBS®). The program is free and can be accessed at www.theright2besafe.org

Her presentations have included the University of Louisville in partnership with the Center for Women and Families, Voice in Actions, 22nd Annual Institute for Alcohol and Drug Studies at the University of Evansville, the International Society for the Study of Dissociation, American Counseling Association, Association for Traumatic Stress Specialists, and Association of Women in Psychology, Elmhurst College, American Professional Society on the Abuse of Children, the Mid-west Conference on Child Sexual Abuse and Prevent Child Abuse-Indiana. Karen will be a Keynote Speaker at the 11th Annual Conference for Prevent Child Abuse-Illinois scheduled for October 6-7, 2005 in Springfield, Illinois. Ms. Duncan has appeared on the Darkness2Light Radio Show hosted by Kathleen Brooks on World Talk Radio and the Mary Amoroso Show on Comcast Cable Network. She has been quoted in Indianapolis Woman, the Tampa Tribune and Daily Journal.

Ms. Duncan is based in Greenwood, Indiana where she is the founder of The Right to Be Safe, Inc. a not-for-profit organization dedicated to the prevention and treatment of sexual abuse and family violence.

To schedule training and presentations contact Karen at
karenduncan@healing4women.com