M. Alexis Kennedy

Associate Professor of Criminal Justice
Research Fellow for the Center for Crime and Justice Policy
Expertise: Trauma, Child abuse, Sexual assault, Human trafficking, Domestic violence, Juvenile delinquency

Biography

M. Alexis Kennedy brings a forensic psychology perspective to studying victimization and children’s issues. Her areas of research include trauma, child abuse, sexual assault, exploitation through prostitution and domestic violence. She has published in numerous journals such as the Journal of Aggression, Maltreatment & Trauma and the Canadian Journal of Psychiatry.

Alexis Kennedy won two American Psychological Association Awards (Divisions 37 and 41) and a Canadian Psychological Association Laureate for her doctoral dissertation on cross-cultural perceptions of child abuse. She has testified in court, spoken nationally and internationally, and is frequently quoted in the media on issues of exploitation and abuse.

Kennedy received a $623,600 grant from the U.S. Department of Justice in 2015 to study human trafficking and resiliency in young survivors. A fellow of the Center for Crime and Justice Policy, she completed a federally funded evaluation of a re-entry program for offenders.

Kennedy has facilitated and conducted research for a number of Clark County task forces including initiatives on human trafficking, juvenile delinquency, child abuse and sex offender management. She conducts research for specialty courts, child protective services and non-profit service agencies in Las Vegas.

Dr. Kennedy also serves as an active mentor and board member for national and local non-profits. She is a frequent trainer on child abuse human trafficking, , speaking to criminal justice, mental health, medical, and community-based organizations.

Education

  • Ph.D., Forensic Psychology, University of British Columbia
  • M.A., Forensic Psychology, University of British Columbia
  • J.D., University of Manitoba
  • B.A., Criminology, University of Toronto

M. Alexis Kennedy In The News

Brookings
In the final episode of The Killing Drugs, host Vanda Felbab-Brown speaks with Dr. Lisa Durette and Dr. Alexis Kennedy of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, about the impact of the fentanyl and opioid epidemics on young people. They explore risk factors leading to substance use disorders among the young, including developmental vulnerabilities, the social environment, and trauma and abuse. They discuss the challenges in identifying opioid use in adolescents, how to have conversations with young people about drugs, and the importance of community and family involvement in prevention. Finally, they explore treatment and other drug support services available to young people or their lack of, including in the juvenile justice system.
K.V.V.U. T.V. Fox 5
A blind 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ student has a unique perspective ahead of the new school year.
Las Vegas Review Journal
Martin, a former sex buyer, admits he’s never been faithful in any relationship. So when the urge to cheat struck again after he got married and had kids, he thought the logical thing to do would be to pay for sex.
Las Vegas Review Journal
About 72 percent of the juvenile victims of human trafficking in Nevada come from within the state, experts said Wednesday.

Articles Featuring M. Alexis Kennedy

unlv pumpkins
Campus News | November 4, 2024

A monthly roundup of the top news stories at 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ, featuring the presidential election, gaming partnerships, and much more.

Graphic with words on screen, The Killing Drugs: Synthetic Opioids Around the World
Business and Community | October 31, 2024

Brookings Mountain West and 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ health care and criminal justice faculty experts partner with Washington think tank on podcast series addressing the opioid abuse epidemic.
 

two women standing next to empty road
Research | October 23, 2021

Researchers work with underage sex trafficking victims to identify new ways to assist exploited children and prevent others from entering the abuse cycle.

boy holding hand up in stop sign
Research | September 21, 2018

When toxic masculinity is part of a culture, male survivors of childhood abuse may turn to crime as a way to reclaim their masculinity.