Author Matt Atkinson

Matt Atkinson is a Domestic and Sexual Violence Response Professional. He has worked as a director of prevention of domestic and sexual violence at a crisis center, where he developed and implemented programs with women’s prisons, university sports teams, churches, schools, and Indian tribes. Matt has also counseled youth and adults, including more than 500 Survivors of rape.
In 2004, he became the first male given the National Award for Outstanding Advocacy and Community Work in Ending Sexual Violence by the National Sexual Violence Resource Center.
In 2005 he was awarded “Most Therapeutic” by his colleagues. In 2006 he began to teach university courses on domestic violence and crisis intervention. In 2010, he wrote “You Can Take Your Power Back: A Guide To Your Rights After Rape,” a booklet distributed to thousands of victims. In 2011, he wrote a Guide for Male Survivors and the booklet, "A Mans Guide to Helping a Woman Who Has Been Raped," which have been distributed to crisis centers and individuals nationwide. He is regularly sought as a presenter/trainer at workshops and conferences.
Starting in 2009, Matt directed a project to implement more than twenty new Sexual Assault Response Teams to serve victims of sexual violence, which included special trainings for advocates, law enforcement, tribal programs, crisis center staff and administrators, clinicians, and more than 100 new nurses trained as Sexual Assault Forensic Examiners. He also developed an innovative annual Spiritual Healing Retreat for Survivors which draws participants from around the world.
His book Resurrection After Rape is taught in universities and used in counseling programs around the world, and remains the "gold standard" for books on clinical treatment of PTSD from rape. 
Matt has two Bachelor’s and a Master’s Degree in Art/ Human Physiology, Behavioral Science, and Social Work. 
He is available to present at trainings and universities. Topics include:
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• Helping survivors write, read and process their rape trauma memories, including managing aftermath emotions;
• Addressing the myth of rampant false rape reports;
• ​Special considerations for males while working with female survivors;
• Pop culture media, feminism, and rape culture;
• Using the "Resurrection After Rape" methods in intensive therapy with survivors;
• Presenting tough topics to groups who don't want to hear it;
• Using the lessons from Harry Potter in therapy with trauma survivors;
• Cultural considerations when working with Native American rape survivors;
• Addressing human trafficking in Native American populations;
• Self-care for Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners;
• Special considerations for dental hygienists working with sexually-abused patients;
• Feminist philosophy and work with rape survivors

Interview with Matt Atkinson about the needs of survivors

More by the Author:
Resurrection After Rape: A Guide to Transforming from Victim to Survivor
Expecto Patronum: Using the Lessons from Harry Potter to Recover From Abuse
A Man's Guide to Helping a Woman Who's Been Raped (Free Download)

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