Rhonelle Bruder, MSc, PhD(c)
Affiliation: University of Toronto
Rhonelle Bruder is a dedicated activist and scholar with a profound commitment to addressing the complex issues of human trafficking and gender-based violence. Grounded in her own life experiences of overcoming youth homelessness, child sexual exploitation, and trafficking, she uses her firsthand knowledge to develop survivor-centered and trauma-informed programming, training, and technical assistance. She is currently serving as a Teaching Fellow at Harvard University’s Faculty of Arts and Sciences and pursuing a PhD in Social and Behavioral Health Sciences at the University of Toronto's Dalla Lana School of Public Health. Rhonelle’s research focuses on the well-being, health, and healthcare experiences of formally sex-trafficked women. With over a decade of experience in healthcare and social services, Rhonelle's work has consistently been community-centered and survivor-driven.
Notably, she founded and served as the Executive Director of Project iRISE. This community- based anti-trafficking organization provided vital support to women affected by sex trafficking, including branding tattoo removal, vocational skills building, and peer support. Rhonelle also actively contributes to the field through her role on the Board of Directors at HEAL Trafficking. In addition to her research and advocacy, she is a sought-after speaker, trainer, consultant, and lecturer on a range of critical topics, including human trafficking, gender-based violence, intersectionality, and social justice strategies.
Research Interests:
Human trafficking
Gender-based violence
Participatory methods
Program evaluation
Qualitative research methods
Intersectionality
Public Health
Social determinants of health