Engaging the Field to Advance Excellence
The Survivor Advisory Council and the Institutional Review Board, are transforming the landscape of survivor care. Our commitment to ethical standards and survivor empowerment drives us to continuously improve and adapt in the ever-evolving field of survivor care. (AI)
The Survivor Advisory Council (SAC)
The Survivor Advisory Council (SAC) is one of the most distinctive expressions of the Institute’s commitment to survivor-centered practice. Comprised of individuals with experiences relevant to victims of exploitation/trafficking, the SAC ensures that the voices of those we serve are not just heard, they are integrated into all that we do. Their participation reflects a core conviction: that survivors are essential partners in shaping the future of this movement and in each of our steps forward.
Their service is both a responsibility and a gift, and the Institute is grateful for every member who brings experience and insight to this work.
SAC members play an active role across the Institute’s work by
- Serving as members of our Institutional Review Board process, ensuring that research studies with victims/survivors are respectful and appropriate— and their approval is required before any study moves forward.
- Advise on new course development, with some serving as adjunct faculty.
- They also advise on program development, communications, and organizational priorities, offering perspective that no amount of professional expertise can replicate.
Survivor Advisory Council
Ms. Kim Owens
Bio to Come
Ms. Amber Mills
Bio to Come
Leah G. Armstrong
Bio to Come
Ms. Megan Cicale
Bio to Come
Ms. Catherine Otis
Bio to Come
Institutional Review Board (IRB)
An IRB is an independent committee that reviews and oversees research to protect the rights and welfare of human participants.
These members of the Institute’s IRB ensure every study we conduct meets the highest ethical and regulatory standards — before it begins and throughout its progress.
2026 IRB Committee
Dr. Jeanne L. Allert – IRB Chair
Dr. Jeanne Allert is a nationally recognized leader in survivor care with more than 20 years of experience serving victims of sexual exploitation. A researcher, author, and advocate, she has dedicated her career to equipping Christian organizations with the knowledge and tools to provide exemplary, survivor-centered care.
Ms. Linda Thomas – IRB Coordinator
Bio to Come
Mr. Chris Lim, Scientist Member
Bio to Come
Dr. Sherri Wyatt, Member
Dr. Nikki Instone, Member
Dr. Simone Halpin, Member
Ms. Jessica Grider, LCSW, Member
2026 IRB Committee
Ms. Kim Owens
Bio to Come
Ms. Amber Mills
Bio to Come
Leah G. Armstrong
Bio to Come
Ms. Megan Cicale
Bio to Come
Ms. Catherine Otis
Bio to Come
Survivor Advisory Council
Dr. Jeanne L. Allert – IRB Chair
Dr. Jeanne Allert is a nationally recognized leader in survivor care with more than 20 years of experience serving victims of sexual exploitation. A researcher, author, and advocate, she has dedicated her career to equipping Christian organizations with the knowledge and tools to provide exemplary, survivor-centered care.
Ms. Linda Thomas – IRB Coordinator
Bio to Come
Mr. Chris Lim, Scientist Member
Bio to Come
Dr. Sherri Wyatt, Member
Dr. Nikki Instone, Member
Dr. Simone Halpin, Member