PhD Candidate and Associate Lecturer
Tracy Meehan is an Associate Lecturer at the School of Criminology and Criminal Justice and a PhD Candidate at Griffith University. Tracy's research examines 25 years of forensic data on sexual violence in young people’s intimate relationships, with a focus on identifying trends, risk factors, and critical intervention points to break cycles of abuse.
Alongside her research, she has extensive experience in teaching and curriculum design across undergraduate and postgraduate levels, including course convening and tutoring. She is passionate about creating inclusive, student-centred learning environments that encourage active participation, critical thinking, and professional growth.
Research Topic
Breaking the Cycle: Preventing Sexual Violence in Intimate Partner Relationships Among Young People
Tracy's research investigates intimate partner sexual violence (IPSV) among young people referred to forensic services in Queensland. Using 25 years of longitudinal data, the study examines referral trends, demographic and relational factors, and the risks and protective influences on persistence or desistance. The aim is to identify developmental pathways and intervention points to help disrupt cycles of abuse and inform more effective prevention and treatment strategies.
Supervisors
Associate Professor Jesse Cale
Professor Benoit Leclerc
Areas of interest
Intimate partner sexual violence
Youth justice
Advanced criminology theory
Mental health psychology
Fraud and cybercrime
Law
Crime prevention
Membership
Publications
Introduction to Criminology and Criminal Justice: An Australasian Perspective (2024). Book Chapters:
- Sociological Theories of Crime: Strain Theories (with Lucy Forrester & Jaana Haaja) — Introduction to Criminology and Criminal Justice: An Australasian Perspective
- The Importance of Friendships: Social Learning Theory (with Melissa Osborn) — Introduction to Criminology and Criminal Justice: An Australasian Perspective
- You Made Me Do It: Social Reaction Theory (with Antoinette L. Smith) — Introduction to Criminology and Criminal Justice: An Australasian Perspective
- Nature vs Nurture: Biosocial Theories of Crime (with Antoinette L. Smith) — Introduction to Criminology and Criminal Justice: An Australasian
Our People
School of Criminology and Criminal Justice have the largest community of criminologists in Australia