Daniel B. Ross of the Ross Law Group has been selected as Chair of the Advisory Committee for the Institute on Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault at The University of Texas at Austin School of Social Work, Center for Social Work Research. Dr. Noël Busch-Armendariz, Director of the IDVSA, made the announcement.
“I had the opportunity to work with Dan on a case involving a sexual assault victim,” said Busch-Armendariz. “His passionate voice is a critical addition to IDVSA’s mission of increasing our knowledge about interpersonal violence through research, education, and service.”
Ross, a prominent Austin personal injury lawyer and graduate of The University of Texas at Austin School of Law, will concentrate on fundraising efforts to sustain IDVSA’s multi-disciplinary approach to applied research. Recent projects include studies on sexual assault, human trafficking, domestic violence, the use of expert witnesses, and resiliency in service providers.
“IDVSA research reinforced my long-held concerns regarding societal misperceptions and prejudices about sexual assault and how that impacts victims in the courtroom,” Ross said. “I look forward to being part of IDVSA’s efforts to help educate attorneys, prosecutors, juries, and judges about rape myths and the realities of sexual violence.
Interpersonal violence affects all of us. It’s beyond politics or ideology,” said Ross. “I’m honored to have this opportunity to work with Dr. Busch-Armendariz and her team at the University of Texas to address the impact interpersonal violence has on society, survivors, offenders, and the people who serve victims.”
The Institute on Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault is one of ten institutes in the Center for Social Work Research in the School of Social Work. It is a collaboration of the UT School of Social Work, School of Law, School of Nursing, and Bureau of Business Research.