Faculty Biography
Faculty Biography | George Leibowitz
George Leibowitz, Ph.D.Assistant Professor
Contact Information:
443 Waterman Building
(802) 656-5576
George.Leibowitz@uvm.edu
George Stuart Leibowitz, Ph.D., LICSW is Assistant Professor at the University of Vermont Department of Social Work and teaches courses in social theory, mental health, substance abuse, policy, and practice. His clinical practice experience involves interventions with youth, and conducting mental health and psychosexual evaluations in juvenile justice settings. His research interests include co-occurring disorders and trauma and dissociation among adolescents, the assessment and treatment of sexually abusive youth and adult offenders, wraparound programs for youth, family-based interventions, and international social work, with ongoing collaborative projects on mental health and sexual abuse in India and Scotland.
Areas of Expertise:
Addictions/Substance Abuse; Adolescent Development; Assessment and Evaluation; Child and Family Welfare; Criminal Justice; Mental Health; Psychology; Race and Racism; Research Methods; Social Theory; Social Welfare
Scholarship
Selected Publications
- Leibowitz, G.S., Burton, D.L., & Howard, A. (in press). Part II: Differences between sexually victimized and nonsexually victimized adolescent sexual abusers and delinquent youth: Further group comparisons of developmental antecedents and behavioral challenges. Journal of Child Sexual Abuse.
Abstract:
- Burton D.L., Leibowitz, G. S., Booxbaum, A., & Howard, A. (2011). Comparison by crime type of juvenile delinquents on pornography exposure: The absence of relationships between exposure to pornography and sexual offense characteristics. Journal of Forensic Nursing, 6, 121-129. [abstract]
Abstract: Previous literature on pornography indicates that pornography use for men at risk for aggression may result in sexually aggressive behavior, but very little research has been reported on juvenile sexual abuser's exposure to pornography. The current study compares pornography exposure between male adolescent sexual abusers (n = 283) and male nonsexually offending delinquent youth (n = 170). Sexual abusers reported more pre- and post-ten (years of age) exposure to pornography than nonsexual abusers. Yet, for the sexual abusers, exposure is not correlated to the age at which the abusers started abusing, to their reported number of victims, or to sexual offense severity. The pre-ten exposure subscale was not related to the number of children the group sexually abused, and the forceful exposure subscale was not correlated with either arousal to rape or degree of force used by the youth. Finally, exposure was significantly correlated with all of the non-sexual crime scores in the study. Implications are discussed.
- Leibowitz, G.S., Laser, J.A., Burton, D.L. (2011). Exploring the relationships between dissociation, victimization, and juvenile sexual offending. Journal of Trauma and Dissociation, 12 (1), 38-52. [abstract]
Abstract: An etiological model of sexually abusive behavior including dissociation could have utility for researchers and treatment providers working with sexually abusive youth with trauma histories. This article explores relationships between dissociation, victimization, and juvenile sexual offending. Self-report data of dissociation and five types of abuse were collected from two racially/ethnically diverse groups of sexually abusive and general delinquent male adolescents (n=503). Bivariate analysis showed significant correlations between all types of child abuse and dissociation, with the exception of emotional neglect. Hierarchical logistic regression analysis indicated that dissociation was significant in predicting sexual offender status. Moreover, dissociation, sexual victimization, and physical abuse showed significant effects in predicting membership in the sexual offender group. The results confirmed the need for additional research in the areas of assessment and treatment of dissociation among sexually abusive youth.
- Burton, D.L., Duty, K.J.,& Leibowitz, G.S. (2011). Differences between sexually victimized and nonsexually victimized male adolescent sexual abusers: Developmental antecedents and behavioral comparisons. Journal of Child Sexual Abuse, 20 (1), 77-93. [abstract]
Abstract: This study compares sexually victimized and nonsexually victimized male adolescent sexual abusers on a number of variables. Self-report measures were administered to 325 male sexually abusive youth (average age 16) in six residential facilities in the Midwest, 55% of whom reported sexual victimization. The results of this project indicate that the sexually victimized sexual abusers have more severe developmental antecedents (i.e., trauma, family characteristics, early exposure to pornography & personality) and recent behavioral difficulties (characteristics of sexual aggression, sexual arousal, use of pornography, and nonsexual criminal behavior), than the nonsexually victimized group. Results are contrasted with recent typological research, which found no relationship between sexual victimization and subtype membership. Treatment, research and theoretical implications are discussed.
- Burton, D.L., Leibowitz, G.S, Eldredge, M.A., Ryan, G., & Compton, D. (2011). The relationship of trauma to non-sexual crimes committed by adolescent sexual abusers: A new area of research. Journal of Aggression, Maltreatment, & Trauma, 20 (5), 579-593.
Abstract:
Courses Taught in the Last 5 Years
Addressing Substance Abuse in Social Work Practice; Assessment in Social Work; Social Work Practice in India; Theoretical Foundations of Human Behavior in the Social Environment
Education
- Ph.D. in Social Work from University of Denver
- M.S.W. in Social Work from University of Denver
Licensure or Certifications
- Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker, State of Vermont
Professional Associations
- National Association of Social Workers (NASW), Society for Social Work and Research (SSWR)
