CANDACE RICHEY

I received my Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice from California State University, Los Angeles in 2004 and, after graduation, I became Director of Operations for a mobile tactile training team comprised of members of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Special Enforcement Bureau. In 2014, I earned a Master’s in Criminal Justice from the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs.

My research focus is in the neurobiology of trauma primarily associated with sexual assault. Following graduation, I became a Victim Advocate at the Colorado Springs Police Department and on November 27, 2015, I was part of the response team to the Planned Parenthood shooting in Colorado Springs. It was this tragic event that changed my life. Advocating for a shooting victim and assisting other victims allowed me the opportunity to witness the impact of trauma and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Prior to that event, my experience concentrated on empirical research derived from reviewing hundreds of sexual assault cases and police investigative analysis.

My work as a victim advocate inspired me to pursue a Master’s Degree in Counseling and Human Services, with an emphasis in substance abuse, from the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs. Through my experience supporting women impacted by domestic violence and individuals affected by crime, I have developed a deep understanding of the complex dynamics of trauma, including vicarious and secondary trauma, as well as the lasting impact of untreated PTSD. I have also found that, for many individuals, substance use disorders are closely linked to unresolved and unaddressed adverse life experiences—many of which are rooted in trauma.