Influential Woman · Psychology

Avani Singh

Collegiate Changemaker Fellow, New York City Alliance Against Sexual Assault

Jamaica, NY

Certifications · Degrees · Memberships

Degree Bachelor's Degree in Forensic Psychology Degree John Jay College Degree New York City (expected December 2026) Degree Master's Degree in Forensic Mental Health Counseling (expected May 2028)

Her Story

About Avani

I'm currently majoring in forensic psychology at John Jay College in New York City, where I'm conducting research on child sexual abuse. I'm also very interested in doing research in the future on gender-based violence and sexual violence against women and children. I'll be finishing my bachelor's degree in December 2026 and my master's degree in forensic mental health counseling in May 2028. After I graduate with my master's degree, I'd like to take a gap year or two to see what opportunities are available for me within the international realm to expand my prevention efforts on an international level. Then I'd like to get my PhD in community psychology with a focus on gender-based violence prevention research. I want to use my research to inform policy and advocacy efforts to end gender-based violence. I've been a volunteer with Womankind, a nonprofit organization that helps survivors of gender-based violence and human trafficking, particularly from Asian American backgrounds, where I served as a helpline advocate. I'm currently part of the fellowship with the New York City Alliance Against Sexual Assault, where we do advocacy and prevention work throughout New York State.

Quick Facts

IndustryPsychology
Based inJamaica, NY
Specialty Forensic Psychology
- Child Sexual Abuse Research
- Gender-Based Violence Prevention
- Sexual Violence Against Women and Children
Volunteers with Womankind - Volunteer and Helpline Advocate (nonprofit helping survivors of gender-based violence and human trafficking
- Particularly Asian American women)
- New York City Alliance Against Sexual Assault - Fellowship Member (advocacy and prevention work throughout New York State)

Her Interview

Ten minutes with Avani

01What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?

I would say that I think they should listen to their heart, and they should think about what they're most passionate about. Passion can mean many different things for many different people, like the feelings that emerge when you feel passionate about something. For me, whenever I feel passionate about something, I also feel anger, so I'm very passionate about advocating to end gender-based violence and sexual violence against children. Whenever I think about those issues, they make me feel very angry, but for a good reason, because I want to end it, and I think that no one should have to experience that. So I would say listen to your gut, and listen to what your heart tells you to do, and the feelings that emerge from it. If they're very strong feelings, then go with that.

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