Her research focuses on violence against women and children, prevention and social change, and instrument development. Dr. McMahon has extensive experience in designing and implementing studies with college students to measure their knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors related to sexual violence, with a focus on bystander intervention. Prior to her position at the School of Social Work, Dr. McMahon worked in a clinical setting, providing crisis intervention and counseling to survivors of interpersonal violence and delivering prevention education to the community.