Rusan is a PhD Candidate and Joseph-Armand Bombardier Scholar in the School of Social Work at 不良研究所, under the supervision of Dr. Delphine Collin-Vezina, the Director of the Centre for Research on Children and Families (CRCF). Rusan completed her Honours Bachelor of Science (Psychology Specialization) and Master of Social Work at the University of Toronto.
Rusan鈥檚 primary research interests include the shame and help-seeking experiences of and systemic responses to sexual violence survivors. Rusan鈥檚 doctoral research uses an intersectional lens to explore how race, ethnicity, and overall social identity influence the shame and counselling experiences of adult survivors of child sexual abuse who identify with a racial and/or ethnic minority group.
Rusan is also currently engaged in multiple research studies, across several universities, including a study that examines the impact of the MeToo movement on sexual violence disclosures in Canada; a study that evaluates legal support services for victims of sexual violence in Quebec, Canada; and a project that tracks attrition in rape prosecution cases in Florida. Rusan has held previous research positions within academic and hospital settings that involved diverse research focuses, including adolescent sex offenders, shame among mental health patients, pediatric palliative care, and field instruction in social work.
Prior to pursuing her PhD, Rusan worked as a clinical social worker in Toronto, Ontario in various settings, including Anishnawbe Health Toronto (a health centre dedicated to the Aboriginal Community of Toronto); Maplehurst Correctional Complex (a correctional facility for adult males); and the Forensic Assessment and Triage Unit at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health.
Contact:听rusan.lateef [at] mail.mcgill.ca (Email)