B.Sc., M.Sc., PhD
Convenor, WGST/Instructor, CRIM & SOC
School of Social Sciences
Women's & Gender Studies
Faculty of Arts and Sciences
Sociology
Criminology
604.986.1911 ext. 3693
Fir Building, room FR407
sarahyercich@capilanou.ca
Education
L.L.M. (Criminal Law and Procedure), Osgoode Hall Law School, York University (in progress)
Ph.D. (Criminology), Simon Fraser University, 2021.
M.Sc. (Applied Criminology), Northern Arizona University, 2009.
B.Sc. (Criminal Justice), Northern Arizona University, 2007
Bio
Sarah Yercich (she/her) (PhD, Simon Fraser University, 2021) is a multi and interdisciplinary researcher, activist and teaching scholar focused on violence against women, children/youth and gender diverse communities, as well as knowledge mobilization, the scholarship of teaching and learning and prison education.
Yercich is an award-winning post-secondary educator including, most recently, the 2025 West Coast Teaching Excellence Award. Her expertise spans the disciplines of criminology, sociology, socio-legal studies, social justice and women's and gender studies.
She holds a Ph.D. in Criminology (2021) from Simon Fraser University and M.Sc. in Applied Criminology (2009) from Northern Arizona University. She is currently pursuing her L.L.M in Criminal Law and Procedure at York University’s Osgoode Hall Law School.
Yercich is faculty in the Department of Sociology and Criminology, as well as Women’s and Gender Studies where she is currently serving as the Department Head. In addition to her work at Capilano University, she is the Co-Director of the FREDA Centre for Research on Violence Against Women and Children housed in the School of Criminology at Simon Fraser University. The FREDA Centre is a non-profit community engaged research centre with a focus on addressing gender-based violence through law, policy and practice and a founding member of the Alliance of Canadian Research Centres on Gender-Based Violence.
At Simon Fraser University, Yercich holds an appointment as an Adjunct Professor in the School of Criminology.
She is also the Editor of the Western Criminologist, a member of the Alliance Against Violence and Adversity's (AVA) Leadership Team, an AVA Early Career Researcher, and the Host of AVA's Webinar Series.
My approach to teaching focuses on students' active engagement and inquiry, both within the classroom and their studies overall. This requires a dynamic approach to teaching that fosters engagement and collaborative participation in the learning process, as well as assignments that encourage in-depth engagement with the subject matter. In my experience, students learn and develop new skills most effectively when actively engaged.
My research and teaching interests include critical criminology, sociology, socio-legal studies, social justice, domestic violence (DV) and domestic homicide, immigrants and refugees' experiences with DV, gender-based violence, strength- and resilience-based responses to DV and GBV, family law, the scholarship of teaching and learning and prison education.
Publications
Kurbatfinski, S., Letourneau N., Flis, J., Lozowchuk, A., Pohl, C., Deane, A. J., Steward-Tufescu, A., Yercich, S., Campbell, A., & Ross, K. (submitted, Violence: An International Journal). Describing and evaluating the Alliance against Violence and Adversity (AVA) Online Training Platform: An online curriculum to support children, women, and gender-diverse people.
Phillips, E., Yercich, S. & Jackson, M. (forthcoming, 2025). Parental Alienation Claims and Intimate Partner Violence in BC: Stolhandske v. Carlos, 2024 BCSC 2516. From Awareness to Action Legal Bulletin.
Yercich, S. (2024). Contextualizing the UN Special Report on custody, violence against women and children, and parental alienation: What does it mean for Canada? Family Violence Family Law Brief (30).
Yercich, S., & Jackson, M. (2024). Legal aid expansion for people experiencing family violence: Single Mothers’ Alliance v. BC. From Awareness to Action Legal Bulletin (25).
Yercich, S., & Jackson, M. (2024). The harms of gendered myth and stereotypes about intimate partner and sexual violence: R v. RMD, 2022 ABKB 851. From Awareness to Action Legal Bulletin (24).
Yercich, S., & Jackson, M. (2023). Fathering and fathers’ rights groups: The Canadian landscape. Family Violence Family Law Brief (21).
Yercich, S., Jackson, M., Lehal, K. L., & Ruan, C. (2023). Gender-based violence and access to justice for international students at Canadian post-secondary institutions. Family Violence Family Law Brief (19).
Yercich, S., Jackson, M., & MacMillan, C. (2022). COVID-19 and domestic violence through an intersectional lens: Safety, security, rights. British Columbia’s Office of the Human Rights Commissioner.
Guruge, S., Al Jamal, A., Yercich, S., Dhillon, M., Rossiter, R., David, R., & Kulasinghe, M. (2020). Domestic homicide in immigrant communities: Lessons learned. In P. Jaffe, M. Campbell, A-L. Straatman, & K. Scott (Eds). Preventing domestic homicides: Lessons learned from tragedies (pp. 111-134). Elsevier Publishing.
Jackson, M., Martinson, D., Yercich, S., Gregg, M., & Pang, C. (2020). Implementing children’s participation rights in family law and child welfare proceedings. The Office of the Representative for Children and Youth.
Yercich, S., & Rossiter, K. (2018). Immigrant and refugee populations. In N. Jeffrey, J. Fairbairn, M. Campbell, M. Dawson, P. Jaffe, & A-L Straatman (Eds). Canadian Domestic Homicide Prevention Initiative with Vulnerable Populations (CDHPIVP) literature review on risk assessment, risk management and safety planning. Canadian Domestic Homicide Prevention Initiative. ISBN: 978-1-988412-27-6
Jackson, M., Yercich, S., Godard, L., & Lee, H. (2018). Building Supports Phase III: Policy analysis settlement and immigration, housing, and health. The BC Society of Transition Houses, BC Non-Profit Housing Association, and the FREDA Centre for Research on Violence Against Women and Children.
Jackson, M., Yercich, S., & Godard, L. (2018). Building Supports Phase III: Policy brief summary. Report prepared for the BC Society of Transition Houses, BC Non-Profit Housing Association, and the FREDA Centre for Research on Violence Against Women and Children.
Rossiter, K., Yercich, S., Boabaid, M., Al Jamal, A., David, R., Fairbairn, J., Dawson, M., & Jaffee, P. (2018). Domestic violence in immigrant and refugee populations: Culturally informed risk and safety strategies (4). London, ON: Canadian Domestic Homicide Prevention Initiative. ISBN: 978-1-988412-13-9
Fairbairn, J., Yercich, S., Al Jamal, A., Rossiter, K., David, R., Bader, D., Straatman, A., Dawson, M., & Jaffe, P. (2017). Domestic violence risk assessment, risk management, and safety planning with immigrant and refugee populations: Summary of selected grey literature. Canadian Domestic Homicide Prevention Initiative with Vulnerable Populations.
Fairbairn, J., David, R., Yercich, S., Al Jamal, A., Rossiter, K., Straatman, A., Dawson, M., & Jaffe, P. (2017). Domestic violence risk assessment, risk management, and safety planning with immigrant and refugee populations: An annotated bibliography. Canadian Domestic Homicide Prevention Project Initiative with Vulnerable Populations.
Rossiter, K., Yercich, S., & Jackson, M. (2014). Assessing the complexities and implications of anti-violence service delivery in British Columbia. Ending Violence Association of British Columbia.
Yercich, S. (2014). Myths and stereotypes in family law: Exploring the realities and impacts of custody and access/shared parenting. The FREDA Centre for Research on Violence Against Women and Children.
Yercich, S. (Ed.). (2012). Criminological theory: Sociological and critical perspectives. Cognella/University Readers.
Conference presentations
Yercich, S. (2025). A strength-based approach to understanding the lived experiences survivors. The 58th Annual Canadian Sociological Association Conference.
Letourneau, N., Ross, K., Stewart-Tufescu, A., Yercich, S., Nixon, K., & the AVA Team (2024). The Alliance against Violence and Adversity (AVA): The Canadian Institutes of Health Research Training Platform and Women’s and Girls’ Health Hub. Canadian Association of Schools of Nursing Biennial Education Conference. Calgary, AB, Canada. May 28, 2024.
Yercich, S. (2024). Engaging pedagogy: Community-centred and student-led learning in Criminology. Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences 61st Annual Meeting. Chicago, IL. March 19-23, 2024.
Yercich, S. (2023). Experiential learning in Criminology: Fostering social change. Teaching Beyond the Curriculum Conference: Focus on Pedagogy 2023. Virtual. November 15-17, 2023.
Yercich, S. & MacMillan, C. (2023). Embracing the un-essay: A sociological journey of self-discovery. Teaching Beyond the Curriculum Conference: Focus on Pedagogy 2023. Virtual. November 15-17, 2023.
Yercich, S. (2023). Fathers’ rights or the right to be fathers in the first place? Online narratives of Canadian fatherhood groups. Canadian Sociological Association Annual Conference. York University. North York, ON, Canada. May 29 - June 2, 2023.
MacMillan, C. & Yercich, S. (2023). Canadian fathers’ rights groups: Repurposing the “victim” narrative. Canadian Sociological Association Annual Conference. York University. North York, ON, Canada. May 29-June 2, 2023.
Yercich, S. (2023). Fathers investing in fatherhood: A qualitative examination of contemporary fathering and fatherhood groups in Canada. Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences 60th Annual Meeting. National Harbor, MD, United States. March 14-18, 2023.
Yercich, S. (2023). Fathers investing in fatherhood: A qualitative examination of contemporary fathering and fatherhood groups in Canada. Western Society of Criminology 49th Annual Conference. Vancouver, BC, Canada. February 2-4, 2023.
Gaskari, R., Tabari, M., & Yercich, S. (2021). Business cycle and crime in British Columbia. The International Conference on Applied Business and Economics 2021 (virtual). November 3-5, 2021.
Rossiter, K., Al Jamal, A.*, Yercich, S., Dhillon, M.*, Boaboaid, M.*, Guruge, S., & Jackson, M. (2021). Immigrant and refugee survivors’ perspectives on help-seeking, gaps in services, and strategies for preventing severe domestic violence and homicide. Canadian Domestic Homicide Prevention Initiative Conference (virtual). May 13, 2021.
Al Jamal, A.*, Yercich, S., Kulasinghe, M.*, & Rossiter, K. (2021). Service providers’ perspectives on the complexity of domestic violence and homicide risk assessments, and its implications for service provision within immigrant and refugee communities. Canadian Domestic Homicide Prevention Initiative Conference (virtual). May 12, 2021.
Al Jamal, A.* & Yercich, S. (2020). One size doesn’t fit all: The complexities of risk, safety, and domestic violence within immigrant and refugee communities. Canadian Domestic Violence Conference 6. Halifax, NS, Canada. March 3-6, 2020.
Yercich, S. & Jackson, M. (2018). What’s policy got to do with it? Policy, practice, and housing access for immigrant and refugee women leaving violence. BC Society of Transition Houses Annual Training Forum. Vancouver, BC, Canada. October 25-26, 2018.
Yercich, S., Bader, D., Nepinak, J., Doherty, D., Campbell, M., DuMont-Smith, C., Guruge, S., Dawson, M., Al Jamal, A.*, David, R., Rossiter, K., Fairbairn, J., & Jaffe, P. (2018). Safety planning with vulnerable populations. Women’s Shelters Canada 2018 National Conference. Ottawa, ON, Canada. June 13-15, 2018.
Yercich, S., Godard, L.*, & Jackson, M. (2018). The Building Supports Project: Policy, practice, and housing access for immigrant and refugee women leaving violence. Women’s Shelters Canada 2018 National Conference. Ottawa, ON, Canada. June 13-15, 2018.
David, R., Rossiter, K., Al Jamal, A.*, Yercich, S., & Fairbairn, J. (2018). Risk assessment, risk management, and safety planning strategies in immigrant and refugee populations: A review of the literature. Canadian Domestic Violence Conference 5. Halifax, NS, Canada. March 20-23, 2018.
Porteous, T.*, Yercich, S., Dawson, M., & Jaffe, P. (2018). Canadian Domestic Homicide Prevention Initiative with Vulnerable Populations. Northern Feminist Institute for Research and Evaluation’s (Northern FIRE) Ending Gendered Violence Symposium. Prince George, BC, Canada. March 9, 2018.
Yercich, S., David, R., Al Jamal, A.*, Rossiter, K., & Fairbairn, J. (2017). Risk assessment, risk management, and safety planning strategies in immigrant and refugee populations: A review of the literature. Canadian Domestic Homicide Prevention Conference. Western University. London, ON, Canada. October 18-19, 2017.
Yercich, S., Jackson, M., & Godard, L.* (2017). Building Supports Project: Safety through housing access for immigrant and refugee women leaving violence. Canadian Domestic Homicide Prevention Conference. Western University. London, ON, Canada. October 18-19, 2017.
Pescitelli, A. & Yercich, S. (2016). The language of rape: Terminology in online media coverage of NHL sexual assault allegations. American Society of Criminology 68th Annual Conference. New Orleans, LA, Unites States. November 16 – 19, 2016.
Yercich, S., & Kolb, A. (2016). What’s black and white and read all over?: An analysis of media consumers’ responses to racialized police brutality. Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences 53rd Annual Meeting. Denver, CO, United States. March 29 – April 2, 2016.
Pescitelli, A., & Yercich, S. (2016). Sex, lies, and hockey tape: An exploratory analysis of online media coverage of the Patrick Kane sexual assault case. Western Society of Criminology 43rd Annual Conference. Vancouver, BC, Canada. February 4-6, 2016.
Yercich, S., & Gregg, M. (2015). Myths and realities: Examining contemporary family law processes and custody/access arrangements. The 20th Annual University of British Columbia Interdisciplinary Legal Studies Graduate Student Conference. Vancouver, BC, Canada. May 7-8, 2015.
Yercich, S., & Gregg, M. (2015). Myths and realities: Examining contemporary family law processes and custody/access arrangements. Western Society of Criminology 42nd Annual Conference. Phoenix, AZ, United States. February 19-21, 2015.
Yercich, S., Rossiter, K., Baker, J. & Porteous, T.* (2014). Assessing the complexities and implications of anti-violence service delivery in British Columbia. The Canadian Observatory on the Justice System’s Response to Intimate Partner Violence National Conference. Fredericton, NB, Canada. October 21-23, 2014.
Yercich, S. (2011). Victimization and fear: An exploratory study of how fear of victimization impacts women. The American Society of Criminology 63rd Annual Conference. Washington, DC, United States. November 16-19, 2011.
Invited Speaker Engagements
Letourneau, N., Ross, K., Stewart-Tufescu, A., Yercich, S., Nixon, K., & the AVA Team (invited presentation, 2024). The Alliance against Violence and Adversity (AVA): The Canadian Institutes of Health Research Training Platform and Women’s and Girls’ Health Hub. Invited presentation to the CIHR Institute of Gender and Health, Calgary, AB, Canada. May 28, 2024.
Yercich, S. (invited speaker, 2023). Women and social justice. Invited presentation at the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences Women’s History Month Panel. Capilano University. North Vancouver, BC, Canada. October 24, 2023.
Yercich, S. (invited speaker, 2021). Teaching excellence awards: Meet the recipients. Invited presentation at the Capilano Teaching & Learning Symposium: Land and Decolonized Place-Based Learning. Capilano University. North Vancouver, BC, Canada. May 6, 2021.
Yercich, S. (invited speaker, 2019). Lessons learned from tragedies: Reviewing domestic violence related deaths. Invited presentation at Capilano University’s ChatLive. Capilano University. North Vancouver, BC, Canada.
Workshops
Yercich, S. & Lennox, C. (2024). Miyo-atoskâta: Weaving Métis wisdom into higher education. Capilano University’s 2024 Teaching and Learning Symposium – Nurturing learning, What is, what was, and what comes next. Capilano University. North Vancouver, BC, Canada. April 24, 2024.
Zamorano, J. & Yercich, S. (2021). Lessons from INTS 210 Approaching Knowledge: Indigenous pedagogies and experiential learning. Capilano Teaching & Learning Symposium: Land and Decolonized Place-Based Learning. Capilano University. North Vancouver, BC, Canada. May 6, 2021.
Yercich, S. (2020). Project Management for Researchers. Virtual Internship Program. University Canada West. Vancouver, BC, Canada. December 14, 2020.
Jackson, M., Yercich, S., & Godard, L.* (2017). Building Supports Project: Housing Access for Immigrant and Refugee Women Leaving Violence (Phase III Policy Component). Building Supports Advisory Committee Meeting. British Columbia Non-Profit Housing Association. Vancouver, BC, Canada. April 11, 2017.
Poster Presentations
Flis, J., Letourneau, N., Pohl, C., Stewart-Tufesco, A., Yercich, S., Nixon, K., & Ross, K. M. (2024). Preliminary Evaluation of the Alliance against Violence and Adversity (AVA) Online Training: Addressing Gender Violence through Academic-Community Collaboration and Training. Athabasca University Graduate Research Symposium (virtual).
Yercich, S. & Jackson, M. (2019). Health, well-being, and safety for immigrant and refugee women and their children leaving violence and abuse. Women Deliver mobilization event: Gender, power and progress on display. Vancouver, BC, Canada. June 2, 2019.
Other Presentations
Yercich, S., & Dhillon, M.* (2018). Emerging research: Risk assessment, risk management, and safety planning definitions. Canadian Domestic Homicide Prevention Initiative with Vulnerable Populations Partnership Meeting. Western University. London, ON, Canada. November 1-2, 2018.
Yercich, S. (2018). Research update: Key informant interviews. Canadian Domestic Homicide Prevention Initiative with Vulnerable Populations Partnership Meeting. Western University. London, ON, Canada. November 1-2, 2018.
Jackson, M., & Yercich, S. (2018). Building Supports Project: Access to safe and affordable housing for immigrant and refugee women and their children leaving violence and abuse. Canadian Domestic Homicide Prevention Initiative with Vulnerable Populations Partnership Meeting. Western University. London, ON, Canada. November 1-2, 2018.
Yercich, S. (2018). What does theory have to do with it? Critical and sociological explanations for crime and deviance. Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences Guilford Park Secondary Campus Visit. Simon Fraser University. Surrey, BC, Canada. October 4, 2018.
Yercich, S. (2018). What does theory have to do with it? Critical and sociological explanations of crime and deviance. Discover Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences Camp. Simon Fraser University. Surrey, BC, Canada. July 5, 2018.
Yercich, S. (2018). Research update: Key informant interviews. Canadian Domestic Homicide Prevention Initiative with Vulnerable Populations Research Team Meeting. Western University. London, ON, Canada. June 2018.
Yercich, S., David, R., Al Jamal, A.*, & Rossiter, K. (2016). Immigrant and refugee hub literature review: Preliminary findings. Canadian Domestic Homicide Prevention Initiative for Vulnerable Populations Student Meeting. Western University. London, ON, Canada. October 27-29, 2016.
2025, West Coast Teaching Excellence Award, British Columbia Teaching & Learning Council
2021, Teaching Excellence Award, Capilano University
2014, Faculty Appreciation Award, Student Athletics, Northern Arizona University
2012, Outstanding Part-time Educator Award, Northern Arizona University
2012, Faculty Appreciation Award, Student Athletics, Northern Arizona University