Dr. Tracie Afifi, recipient of the Children’s Rights Supporter Award, and Dr. Stephen Moses
U of M professor receives national award
Dr. Tracie Afifi recognized for her research on childhood physical abuse
Community Health Science assistant professor Tracie Afifi [B.Sc./99, M.Sc./03, PhD/09] was recently awarded the Children’s Rights Supporter Award from the Canadian Coalition for the Rights of Children (CCRC).
“It’s an incredible honour to have my work recognized by the Canadian Coalition for the Rights of Children,” Dr. Afifi said. “I was very moved to find that the selection committee was comprised of young people who reviewed the work of so many deserving nominees. Thank you for this award.”
Afifi’s work to create awareness of the harm caused to children who are victims of violence in their homes has been recognized in Canada and internationally and has also been influential in creating changes in policy and practice for families, organizations and governments.
The CCRC selected out two of Afifi’s papers for particular praise: the first linking harsh physical punishment with a range of mental disorders and the second demonstrating a connection between physical punishment and increased likelihood of cardiovascular disease, arthritis and obesity.
“It’s always gratifying to see one of our colleagues receive recognition for her work,” added Dr. Stephen Moses, Department Head, Community Health Sciences. “It’s even more meaningful when this work is done in the service of children who are victims of violence. I congratulate Tracie on this well-deserved award.”