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
PhD (Criminology), Simon Fraser University, 2021.
M.Sc. (Applied Criminology), Northern Arizona University, 2009.
B.Sc. (Criminal Justice), Northern Arizona University, 2007.
Bio
Sarah Yercich (PhD, Simon Fraser University, 2021) is an instructor in Sociology and Criminology and Women's and Gender Studies at Capilano University. She has over a decade of teaching experience, both in-person and online. She has taught across many different disciplines including criminology, criminal justice, sociology, social justice, interdisciplinary studies, and women's and gender studies. Her approach to teaching is student/learner-centred and focuses on students' active engagement and inquiry, both within the classroom and their studies overall. In addition to her current instructorship, Yercich worked as a sessional instructor (2014-18, 2019-20) and limited-term lecturer (2018-19) in the School of Criminology at Simon Fraser University (SFU) and adjunct faculty in criminology and criminal justice at Northern Arizona University (2010-12 in-person, 2012-15 online).
Yercich is the associate director (AD) of the FREDA Centre for Research on Violence Against Women and Children at SFU. She has engaged in research on an on-going basis, beginning early in her academic career as an intern for the Northern Arizona Justice Project (2008) and senior information specialist for the National Domestic Violence Fatality Review Initiative (2009-10) and continuing through to her work at the FREDA Centre for Research on Violence Against Women and Children (FREDA), where she began as a research assistant in 2013 and became the associate director (AD) in 2018.
My approach to teaching focuses on student's 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 criminology, sociology, social justice, criminological theory, domestic violence and domestic violence related homicide, immigrants and refugees' experiences with domestic violence, violence against women and children, fathers' rights activism, family law, and yoga in prisons.
Publications & Research Reports
Al Jamal, A., Kulasinghe, M., Yercich, S., Rosster, K., Dhillon, M., Guruge, S., Jackson, M., Jaffe, P., & Dawson, M. (forthcoming). The complexities and limitations of domestic violence risk assessment with immigrants and refugees: Perspectives from key informants in Ontario and British Colombia, Canada.
Only the year on this publication needs to be updated: 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. Amsterdam, Netherlands: Elsevier Publishing.
Guruge, S., Al Jamal, A., Yercich, S., Dhillon, M., Rossiter, R., David, R., & Kulasinghe, M. (forthcoming). 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. Amsterdam, Netherlands: Elsevier Publishing.
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. London, ON: 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. 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.
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. Produced on behalf of the Canadian Domestic Homicide Prevention Project 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. Produced on behalf of the 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. Report prepared for the Ending Violence Association of British Columbia (EVA BC).
Yercich, S.(2014). Myths and Stereotypes in Family Law: Exploring the Realities and Impacts of Custody and Access/Shared Parenting. Report prepared for the FREDA Centre for Research on Violence Against Women and Children.
Yercich, S.(Ed.). (2012). Criminological Theory: Sociological and Critical Perspectives. San Diego, CA: Cognella/University Readers.
Presentations, Webinars, & Workshops
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.
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. May 6, 2021.
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. June 2, 2019.
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. 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, Shelters of the Future: A National Conversation. Ottawa, ON. 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, Shelters of the Future: A National Conversation. Ottawa, ON. 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. 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 Evaluations (Northern FIRE) Ending Gendered Violence Symposium, Addressing Gendered Violence: Local and Northern Perspectives. Prince George, BC. March 9, 2018.
Yercich, S., Godard, L., & Lee, H. (2018). Building Supports: Housing Access for Immigrant and Refugee (IRW) Leaving Violence. Violence Against Women Learning Network Knowledge Hub Webinar Series. February 13, 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. 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. October 18-19, 2017.
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. April 11, 2017.
Pescitelli, A. & Yercich, S.(2016). The Language of Rape: Terminology in Online Media Coverage of NHL Sexual Assault Allegations. Presented at the American Society of Criminology 68th Annual Conference, The Many Colors of Crime and Justice. New Orleans, LA. November 16-19, 2016.
Yercich, S., & Kolb, A. (2016). Whats Black and White and Read All Over?: An Analysis of Media Consumers Responses to Racialized Police Brutality. Presented on a panel entitled Race and Ethnicity: System Outcomes, Perceptions, and Subsequent Influences on Behavior. Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences 53rd Annual Meeting, Advancing Justice on All Fronts. Denver, CO. 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. Presented on a panel entitled Gender, Sexuality, and Crime. Western Society of Criminology 43rd Annual Conference. Vancouver, BC. February 4-6, 2016.
Yercich, S., & Gregg, M. (2015). Myths and Realities: Examining Contemporary Approaches to and Perspectives on Family Law Processes and Custody/Access Arrangements. Presented on a panel entitled Endgame Emancipation: The Continuing Struggle for Gender Equality. The 20th Annual University of British Columbia Interdisciplinary Legal Studies Graduate Student Conference, Law: Past, Present, and Future. Vancouver, BC. May 7-8, 2015.
Yercich, S., & Gregg, M. (2015). Myths and Realities: Examining Contemporary Family Law Processes and Custody/Access Arrangements. Presented at a panel entitled The Impact of Parental Involvement with the Criminal Justice and Legal Systems on Children. Western Society of Criminology 42nd Annual Conference. Phoenix, AZ. February 19th-21st, 2015.
Yercich, S., Rossiter, K., Baker, J. & Porteous, T. (2014). Assessing the Complexities and Implications of Anti-violence Service Delivery in British Columbia. Presented at a session entitled Understanding and Preventing Sexual Violence. The Canadian Observatory on the Justice Systems Response to Intimate Partner Violence National Conference, Integrated Approaches to IPV: Learning and Innovating Together. Fredericton, NB. October 21-23, 2014.
Yercich, S., (2011). Victimization and Fear: An Exploratory Study of How Fear of Victimization Impacts Women. Presented at a roundtable entitled Difference and Contemporary Issues. The American Society of Criminology 63rd Annual Conference, Breaking the Mold: Innovations and Bold Ventures in Criminology. Washington, D.C. November 16-19, 2011.
Teaching Excellent Award, Capilano University, 2021.
Graduate Fellowship (PhD), Simon Fraser University, 2016.
Graduate Fellowship (PhD), Simon Fraser University, 2015.
Faculty Appreciation Award, Student Athletics, Northern Arizona University, 2014.
Outstanding Part-time Educator Award, Social and Behavioral Sciences, Northern Arizona University, 2012.
Faculty Appreciation Award, Student Athletics, Northern Arizona University, 2012.
Outstanding Graduate Student of the Year,Department of Criminology and Criminal Justice, Northern Arizona University, 2009.
Graduate Fellowship, Northern Arizona University, 2008-09.
Graduate Fellowship, Northern Arizona University, 2007-08.
Arizona Judicial Branch Achievement Awardfor Justice 2025, Coconino County Superior Court, 2007.