Dr. Kernsmith completed her Masters in Social Work in interpersonal practice and community organizing at the University of Michigan and her PhD in Social Welfare at the University of California, Los Angeles. Her research interests include violence that occurs in relationships and families, including child sexual abuse, sexual violence, stalking and intimate partner violence. In particular, Dr. Kernsmith is interested in gender issues in perpetration of violence and policy issues around violence prevention and intervention with offenders. Prior to her academic career, Dr. Kernsmith has worked in several domestic violence and sexual assault service agencies in Michigan and California, primarily providing services to children exposed to violence and female victims of intimate partner violence and sexual assault.