Through her research and role as a therapist in the Trauma Recovery Clinic on campus, Katie Bogen — a psychology graduate student from Providence, Rhode Island— is working toward her goal to empower trauma survivors.

“As a survivor myself, I feel strongly that people who have experienced violence are uniquely positioned to provide compassionate support to individuals on their journey to healing,” Bogen said.

This fall, she’ll provide evidence-based therapy to those who’ve experienced interpersonal violence as a TRC therapist within the Center for Advocacy, Response and Education. The CARE office — which recently expanded into Neihardt Center — focuses on confidentially supporting survivors in a safe, inclusive, survivor-centered space. Additionally, CARE provides educational opportunities for the campus community that show how we can all play a role in preventing interpersonal violence.

CARE will start a new program this fall — the Husker CARE Peer Educators — which will empower students to spread awareness and educate peers on topics related to sexual and relationship violence.

“One of CARE’s priorities is ‘primary prevention,’ or stopping interpersonal violence before it happens,” Bogen said. “Huskers can help support primary prevention by practicing bystander intervention and clearly communicating to individuals causing harm that their behavior is not seen as ‘normal’ or ‘acceptable’ by the broader UNL community.”

Outside of her work as a graduate assistant in the CARE office, Bogen also conducts research within the Trauma, Violence and Abuse Lab and the Women, Immunity, and Sexual Health Lab. The work includes examining predictors and consequences of sexual violence, and women’s sexual wellness respectively.

“The research I have conducted within these labs has informed my clinical practice and enabled me to build my own research portfolio,” Bogen said. “For example, I’m currently writing a grant assessing PTSD symptoms, substance use behaviors, and relationship wellbeing (sexual functioning and interpersonal violence) among queer-identified sexual violence survivors who have disclosed their trauma to a romantic partner.”

Bogen remains passionate about her work and wants every Husker to know that they are never alone.

“No one should have to go through the process of reporting without the help of an advocate specifically trained to offer necessary, nonjudgmental support,” Bogen said.