Linda M. Williams received her Ph.D. in sociology from the University of Pennsylvania in 1979, where she studied at the Center for Research in Criminology and Criminal Law. Dr Williams was appointed in 2005 as Professor of Criminal Justice and Criminology, University of Massachusetts Lowell. She was Director of Research at the Stone Center, Wellesley Centers for Women from 1996-2005 and has directed longitudinal research on sexual exploitation of children and youth, the consequences of child abuse, violence against women, family violence, sex offenders and violence prevention for 33 years.