Health and wellness

Justice system delays for survivors of domestic violence

PhD candidate AmyAnne Smith explores the experiences of survivors who engage with the justice system after sexual assault.

AmyAnne on stage at the European Conference on Domestic Violence in Barcelona receiving award.
Estimated Read Time:
1 minute
AmyAnne Smith receiving award at the European Conference on Domestic Violence.
AmyAnne Smith receiving award at the European Conference on Domestic Violence.
Estimated Read Time:
1 minute

Motivated by a commitment to better understand and address the systemic challenges faced by survivors of domestic violence in Winnipeg, AmyAnne Smith is pursuing a doctorate in Social Work. 

As a social worker in Winnipeg’s emergency mental health services, AmyAnne sees the current conditions that domestic violence survivors experience and centers her research on survivors of sexual violence and their stories.
 

Social workers are uniquely positioned to recognize important issues impacting people’s lives through the work they do.

AmyAnne Smith

AmyAnne poses with her winning thesis poster.
AmyAnne poses next to her winning poster.
Poster Competition Winner

AmyAnne Smith won the poster competition at the European Conference on Domestic Violence in Barcelona, Spain, for her research on the unique experiences of sexual minorities in Canada.

The rights of the accused are important; so are the rights of survivors.

AmyAnne Smith

While working with domestic violence survivors, justice officials, and community organizations, Smith has seen how complex and demanding the justice system processes can be. She knows change is needed at the individual and structural levels.

“I am passionate about the work that I am doing with survivors in my front-line practice and am committed to conducting research that is informed by the needs of the communities impacted by sexual violence,” says Smith.
 

Looking ahead, Smith hopes her research will contribute to policy reforms that better reflect the realities and needs of domestic violence survivors, particularly those whose perspectives are often overlooked in criminal justice systems.

She encourages new doctoral students to stay grounded in the motivations that led them to pursue advanced study, especially when the work becomes challenging.

“When everything gets tangly and stressful, the passion that pushed folks to apply will help carry them through,” she says.
 

I would love to see my work result in practical policy changes that centre the experiences of survivors.

AmyAnne Smith

Learn more about pursuing a PhD in Social Work.