Dr. Rebecca Campbell

Dr. Rebecca Campbell is a renowned Professor of Psychology at Michigan State University and a leading authority in the field of sexual assault research and violence against women. For over 25 years, she has spearheaded community-based research that explores the intersection of trauma, law, and health systems, with a particular focus on how these institutions respond to survivors of sexual violence. Her work has significantly advanced the understanding of how legal and medical system interactions affect the psychological and physical well-being of adult, adolescent, and pediatric survivors. Dr. Campbell holds a Ph.D. in Ecological-Community Psychology from Michigan State University and has built a distinguished career rooted in advocacy and empirical research. A hallmark of her research is its real-world impact, exemplified by her leadership of the Detroit Sexual Assault Kit Action Research Project. This four-year, multidisciplinary initiative, funded by the National Institute of Justice, investigated the systemic issues behind Detroit’s backlog of untested rape kits. The findings provided critical insights into institutional failures and spurred national discussions on justice reform and the treatment of sexual assault survivors. A highly sought-after trainer and speaker, Dr. Campbell provides education and consultation on the neurobiology of trauma for professionals across multiple sectors, including law enforcement, healthcare providers, military personnel, and campus-based support services. Her training work bridges cutting-edge scientific knowledge with practical application, helping multidisciplinary teams improve their response to victims of trauma. Dr. Campbell’s scholarly impact is matched by her public service. She chairs MSU’s Relationship Violence and Sexual Misconduct (RVSM) Expert Advisory Workgroup and contributes actively to campus-wide initiatives aimed at creating safer, more inclusive environments. In recognition of her contributions, she was honored with the Vision 21 Crime Victims Research Award from the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office for Victims of Crime in 2015—a testament to the life-changing impact of her work. Her research has been featured in major media outlets like The New York Times, where she explained how trauma affects memory recall in survivors of sexual assault—an issue that often complicates investigations and public perception. Campbell’s advocacy emphasizes compassion and science-informed responses, highlighting the need for systemic changes in how institutions support survivors. Campbell’s expertise spans multiple areas, including violence against women and children, trauma-informed care, institutional betrayal, neurobiology of trauma, and systems reform. Her collaborative approach ensures that survivors’ voices remain central to her work while influencing public policy and institutional practices across the U.S.

• Trauma-Informed Training
• Multidisciplinary Collaboration
• Community-Based Research
• Policy Development
• Victim Advocacy
• Public Health Integration
• Program Evaluation
• Grant Writing
• Legal System Consultation
• Academic Leadership
• Research Translation
• Media Communication
• Law Enforcement Training
• Sexual Assault Prevention
• Curriculum Development
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