Laboratory of Interpersonal Violence and Victimization (LIVV)

The Laboratory of Interpersonal Violence and Victimization at the University of Rochester Medical Center is designed to facilitate the rigorous investigation of violence and victimization, emphasizing the public health perspective and prevention. LIVV draws on the expertise of both UR faculty and the Rochester community to facilitate an interdisciplinary approach to violence prevention. Laboratory faculty collaborate in efforts including research projects, innovative clinical programs and community outreach. Some of these efforts are in conjunction with the Family Violence Clinic at the State University of New York at Buffalo School of Law.

Faculty & Staff

Foci

Research

LIVV research focuses on the social and cultural risk factors among victims and perpetrators. The research aim is to foster investigations regarding violence among intimates (such as family members). This research may examine risk factors, intervention to deal with the consequences of violence, or studies devoted to developing prevention programs or evaluating their effects. Research on violence and the consequences of violence is fostered in two principal ways: 1) shared research projects that some or all LIVV investigators are engaged in; 2) consultation on grants, manuscripts, and other research.

Community Service

LIVV is sponsoring the Anonymous Girl Task Force to address the unmet needs of cases in which Monroe County Child Protective Services is called and is unable to investigate or indicate a case. Community service providers, such as school counselors and health care practitioners are often unaware of alternative agencies from which to seek assistance. In addition, LIVV faculty are conducting an evaluation of a domestic violence program in the Erie County District Attorneys office sponsored by the Violence Against Women Office in the Department of Justice. Faculty and students will assist the office in measuring its effectiveness in reaching out to teen, elder and minority domestic violence victims.

Education

The LIVV educational efforts focus both within the University of Rochester and in the community at large. As a result of training initiatives, researchers will interface with practitioners to create a research agenda that is insightful to the scientific community as well as informative to the practitioners in the field. The laboratory provides a forum for researchers and practitioners to conduct evaluation and programmatic research. The participants can discuss methodological and conceptual issues, and review grants, papers and conference materials.