National award honors Dr. Tyffani Monford and Melissa Webb for outstanding contributions to preventing sexual abuse, assault, and harassment

The Gail Burns-Smith Award honors two advocates who are bridging support for survivors with treatment for those who cause sexual harm.

HARRISBURG, Pa., Aug. 13, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The National Sexual Violence Resource Center (NSVRC-a division of Respect Together) and the Association for the Treatment and Prevention of Sexual Abuse (ATSA) are pleased to honor Dr. Tyffani Monford and Melissa Webb, LCSW, with the 2025 Gail-Burns Smith Award. Monford, Director of Clinical Services at MetroHealth Behavioral Health Hospital and Associate Professor at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine-Department of Psychiatry, and Webb, Licensed Clinical Social Worker and owner of Red Rock Psychological Health in Nevada and Chimney Rock Psychological Health in Nebraska, will receive the award during the 2025 National Sexual Assault Conference^®.

Presented jointly by ATSA and NSVRC, the award is named in honor of Gail Burns-Smith, one of the first advocates to recognize and speak publicly about the importance of collaboration between victim advocates and those working in sex offender management to effectively prevent child sexual abuse.

NSVRC and ATSA are proud to offer this award to two individuals, one who primarily provides services to those who have been sexually harmed and another to an individual who provides treatment or does research in treatment or prevention of sexual harm.

Embodying the spirit of Burns-Smith's work, Dr. Monford is passionate about working with those who have been sexually harmed. In addition to her roles as Director of Clinical Services and Associate Professor, she has served as a consultant and trainer under various federal and state grants in the areas of sexual violence in juvenile correctional systems, and prevention/response to campus sexual assault. Dr. Monford has provided mental health trainings and served as a panelist at conferences throughout the United States focused on culturally-informed mental health services, treatment for survivors of sexual abuse, gender-responsive treatment, the school-to-prison pipeline and Black girls, educating Black girls in white spaces, intersectionality, and social justice work. Dr. Monford has served on several state, national, and international boards addressing issues of mental health, sexual violence prevention and intervention (both with survivors and with adolescents who have caused sexual harm), and human trafficking. She is the author of several books, workbooks, and curricula including those addressing the needs of faith-based and Black women survivors of sexual assault, adolescent girl survivors of human trafficking, gender-responsive treatment practices for justice-involved girls, trauma-informed care with Black girls and cultivating emotional wellness in Black college women. She feels that, "One of her greatest accomplishments has been serving as a member of the steering committee for the March for Black Women (2017, 2018), sponsored by Black Women's Blueprint one of the first organizations focused on the needs of Black women/femme survivors of sexual assault, which brought thousands of marchers to DC to denounce the propagation of state-violence and the widespread incarceration of Black women and girls, rape and all sexualized violence, the murders and brutalization of transwomen, the disappearances of our girls from our streets, our schools and our homes, and the proposed deportation of immigrant women." All of this still doesn't cover the depth of experience Dr. Monford has in promoting mental wellness and advocating for survivors, which is why she is more than worthy of the recognition that this award brings.

With respect to providing treatment and services to those who have perpetrated sexual harm, awardee Webb utilizes Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, among other modalities, to treat sexual offenses, problematic sexual fetishes, and abuse/trauma over the lifespan. She strives to make the clinic comfortable and welcoming for all, as she is aware that the first step is often the most difficult. She offers her expertise beyond her practice, having been a sex educator and advocate for victims and perpetrators of sexual abuse since 2006. Webb has worked tirelessly to connect The Department of Public Safety (Adult Parole & Probation) and Juvenile Justice (JSOs) with the Child Advocacy Center for many years, with the goal of bridging services, having tough conversations, and problem solving. She holds free trainings for officers, caseworkers, foster parents, and therapists to learn the important skills associated with sexual abuse dynamics and teaching them how to advocate for these populations. In addition to this work, she serves as an expert witness in both civil and criminal court cases, sits on the boards of victim advocacy organizations, and educates future professionals as a university instructor. Nevada State Police Lieutenant says, "Her visionary leadership bridges survivor advocacy with perpetrator prevention and treatment efforts-demonstrating a holistic and collaborative approach to ending sexual violence." For her steadfast determination, passion, and compassion, she represents this award's goal of demonstrating that sexual violence prevention is incomplete without working with perpetrators to end the cycle of sexual abuse.

ABOUT ATSA 
The Association for the Treatment and Prevention of Sexual Abuse is an international, multi-disciplinary organization dedicated to preventing sexual abuse. ATSA promotes sound research, effective evidence-based practice, informed public policy, and collaborative community strategies that lead to the effective assessment, treatment, and management of individuals who have sexually abused or are at risk to abuse. ATSA's members include treatment providers, researchers and educators, victims' rights advocates, law enforcement and court officials, and representatives of many other stakeholder groups. ATSA promotes the philosophy that empirically based assessment, practice, management, and policies enhance community safety, reduce sexual recidivism, protect victims and vulnerable populations, transform the lives of those caught in the web of sexual violence, and illuminate paths to prevent sexual abuse.

ABOUT NSVRC

The National Sexual Violence Resource Center (NSVRC) is the leading nonprofit in providing information and tools to prevent and respond to sexual violence. NSVRC translates research and trends into best practices that help individuals, communities and service providers achieve real and lasting change. The center also works with the media to promote informed reporting. Every April, NSVRC leads Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM), a campaign to educate and engage the public in addressing this widespread issue. NSVRC is also one of the three founding organizations of RALIANCE, a national, collaborative initiative dedicated to creating equitable, respectful, and safe environments. NSVRC is a primary division of Respect Together. 

SOURCE National Sexual Violence Resource Center (NSVRC)