Robert Courtois

<https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3557-5264> Researcher's blog / Blog de chercheur: **https://violencesex.hypotheses.org/** and <https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Robert-Courtois> **Professor (MD, PhD) of psychopathology and clinical psychology (Professeur de Psychopathologie et psychologie clinique) – University of Tours (Université de Tours, UT), France.** Codirector of the Research Unit: [**Qualipsy**](https://qualipsy.univ-tours.fr/) [ (**‘Qualité de vie et santé psychologique'**)](https://qualipsy.univ-tours.fr/) (Quality of life and psychological health) (RNSR code: 201923473L) *Affiliated professor of Laval University, Quebec (Canada). Associated researcher at the [RAIV – Applied, interdisciplinary research on intimate, family, and structural violence (« Recherches Appliquées et Interdisciplinaires sur les Violences intimes »)](https://www.raiv.ulaval.ca/), [Université Laval](https://www.ulaval.ca/)* **Part-time hospital psychiatrist (Psychiatric University Clinic, University Hospital of Tours, France)**. Responsible of the [CRIAVS Centre-Val de Loire](https://www.criavs-cvl.fr/) (“Centre ressources pour les intervenants auprès des auteurs de violences sexuelles” : regional resource centre for people working with sexual offenders). **Other activities** Teaching manager (with Wissam El Hage and Pauline Saint-Martin) of the university diploma “Sexual violences and psychotraumatology" ([Clinique des Violences sexuelles et psychotraumatologie](https://formation-continue.univ-tours.fr/version-francaise/formations-compatibles-avec-une-activite-professionnelle/sciences-humaines-cultures-langues-lettres/violencesexuellesetpsychotraumatologie)) (SUFCO, UT) In charge of the “Mater of Psychology" specialization (UT) ([Master of Psychology](https://ash.univ-tours.fr/version-francaise/departements/psychologie/master)) Research committee member of the national coordination of the centers for perpetrators of intimate partner violence (CPCA : centres de prise en charge des auteurs de violences conjugales) **Main research areas** **Sexual violence and intimate partner violence:** sexual assault, rape, domestic violence, dating violence, sexual consent, sexual coercion, sexual harassment, sexual addiction, etc. ([violences sexuelles, violences conjugales, harcèlement, consentement sexuel, coercition sexuelle, addiction sexuelle](https://violencesex.hypotheses.org/704)). The research activities focus on the difficulties in adapting to interpersonal relationships and the environment (academic, professional, socio-cultural), sometimes since becoming an adult, due to previous vulnerabilities, personality disorders, risk factors or, more broadly, psychopathological processes. These situations are generally associated with a loss of quality of life and often with impaired mental health. They may concern: (1) sexual violence, intimate partner violence, harassment; (2) sexual risk behavior or criminal behavior in emerging adulthood; (3) disorders in the face of illness and adverse environments. Other research projects can be developed in interdisciplinary collaboration (e.g. transdiagnostic approach, organ transplantation, care pathways, etc.). **Projects** (QualiPsy, UT) Co-project leader with Valérie Roy (Laval University) - **French Ministry for gender equality, diversity and equal opportunities**: (2023-2024) “Portrait of practices with perpetrators of intimate partner violence and their impact: a case study of 7 to 8 centers which take care of them” ([Portrait des pratiques auprès des auteurs de violence conjugale et de leur impact : étude de cas dans 7 à 8 CPCA](https://cpcaportrait.hypotheses.org/)) *(funding: k€ 130). Partners: ARSL ("Association de Réinsertion Sociale du Limousin"); OMIJ (University of Limoges); LISST (University of Toulouse 2); DVP UMR 5283 (University of Lyon 2); SPL (UMONS).* Project leader - **ANR (AAPG 2021)**: FRIDA (2022-2025) “From fantasies to problematic sexual behavior and sexual violence in youth aged 18 to 25)” ([Des fantasmes aux comportements sexuels problématiques et aux violences sexuelles des jeunes de 18 à 25 ans](https://frida.hypotheses.org/)) *(funding: k€ 490). Partners: LLPL EA 4638 (UA); Inserm U1253 iBrain (UT); Inserm CIC-P 1415 (CHU Tours); CogNAC (UQTR); SCAN Lab (U Birmingham); SPL (UMONS); ICCC (U Montréal).* Project leader - **IR*e*SP (Public health) / Inserm (AAP 2020)**: SE&amp;SR (2021-2023) “Testing a prevention program of intimate partner violence “Safe Dates” among young people aged 18-25 years” ([Expérimentation d’un programme de prévention des violences dans les relations amoureuses “Sortir Ensemble & Se Respecter” auprès d’une population de jeunes de 18-25 ans](https://sesrfrance.hypotheses.org/)) *funding: k€ 97). Partners: FRAPS-IREPS Centre-Val de Loire; EES EA 7505 (UT), LLPL EA 4638 (UA)* Project leader - **DGOS 2018 (PREPS-18-0815)**: EV-AICS (2019-2022) “Impact of a structured clinical assessment (MIDSA), its restitution and support for change on the engagement in the care of sexual offenders: An open-label multicentre randomised controlled trial” \[including 5 hospital centers/ CRIAVS: Tours, Poitiers, Lyon, Lille et Montpellier\] ([Impact d’un bilan clinique structuré (MIDSA), de sa restitution et de l’accompagnement au changement sur l’engagement dans le soin (évalué par l’échelle URICA) d’auteurs d’infraction à caractère sexuel : essai contrôlé randomisé multicentrique en ouvert](https://violencesex.hypotheses.org/730)). *Promotor: CHU de Tours (funding: k€ 338). Partners: Inserm CIC-P 1415 (CHU Tours), Inserm U1253 iBrain (UT), LPPL EA 4638 (UA), CICC (Montréal).* Project leader - **Studium Loire Valley Institute for Advanced Studies** (Consortium 2018): ARSA (2019-2021) “Assessment of Risk of Sexual Assault: psychological adjustment, neuropsychological and psychiatric determinants” ([Évaluation du risque d'agression sexuelle (ARSA) : adaptation psychologique, déterminants neuropsychologiques et psychiatriques](https://violencesex.hypotheses.org/756)). Doctoral award co-financed by the University of Tours *(65 k€)* and the University of Mons *(54 k€)* (“50/50”) on the theme: “Psychopathy, sexual coercion and intimate partner violence in young adults” in a cotutelle program (2021-2024) (Ph.D Student: L. Gosselin - Supervisors: R. Courtois, C. Potard (France) /T. Pham (Belgium)). *As an associated team:* *Cancéropôle Grand Ouest.* Project MACCADI (D Moussata - 2019-2022) “Alternative and complementary medicines in patients with gastrointestinal cancer”. **Latest symposium** Co-Organiser of an international colloquium: *"[Violences dans les relations amoureuses chez les jeunes de 13 à 25 ansé](https://sesrfrance.hypotheses.org/626)"* (may, 2023) (Dating Violence among young people aged 13–25). *Organization: QualiPsy (UT), FRAPS CVL, LPL EA 4638 (UA) and EES EA 7505 (UT), with support of CNAM, DGS, Inserm, Santé Publique France, DDCS, CR and ARS.* Organiser of an international colloquium: *“[De la séduction à l’agression. La question du harcèlement](https://violencesex.hypotheses.org/826)”* (november, 2021) (From seduction to aggression. About harassment). *Organization: QualiPsy (UT), IRJI (UT) and CRIAVS-CVL (CHU de Tours), with support of Le STUDIUM Loire Valley Institute for Advanced Studies.* **Previous positions** Past-medical leader of departmental hospital structures for adolescent care (during more of 10 years) Past-teaching manager of the university diploma “Clinique des violences sexuelles : psychopathologie, prises en charge, évaluations criminologiques et coordination” (Psychopathology of sexual violence, care, criminological assessment…) (University of Tours) Past-president of the AFERTP (Association Francophone d’Etude et Recherche sur les Troubles de la Personnalité / Francophone association for study and research on personality disorders) **Education** Accreditation to supervise research (Habilitation à Diriger des Recherches (HDR), Université de Tours, 2010) PhD in Public health / Psychology (double doctoral degree: Bordeaux2 / Ecole Pratique des Hautes Etudes (EPHE), 2000) Master's in Psychology (Sorbonne University, 1995) and in anthropology (University of Tours, 1995) Medical doctor (University of Tours, 1993)