Before retiring in 2015, Kathy Stout-LaBauve was a licensed clinical social worker who had practiced in the field of trauma recovery her entire career.  She holds a BA in sociology from the University of Louisiana, Lafayette, and a MSW from Louisiana State University.  Ms. Stout-LaBauve served as the Founding Director of the University Medical Center Rape Crisis Center in Lafayette, Louisiana, where she established the first rape treatment program in an eight-parish area.  Ms. Stout-LaBauve was appointed to the Governor’s Task Force on Rape in 1983 and worked with the Louisiana Legislature to better protect survivors of sexual assault.  She was the Founding President of the Louisiana Foundation Against Sexual Assault, a network of professionals throughout the state who worked to impact public policy on sexual violence.

Following her work with the University Medical Center Rape Crisis Center, Ms. Stout-LaBauve had a private psychotherapy practice in San Antonio, Texas for 15 years, specializing in trauma recovery.  During that time Ms. Stout-LaBauve also taught trauma treatment protocol to students and professionals in graduate school classes and regional workshops, and founded the San Antonio Trauma and Dissociation Study Group. She held certifications in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) and Equine-Assisted Growth and Learning Association (EAGALA).

Ms. Stout-LaBauve joined International Justice Mission in 2006, initially as the Trafficking Aftercare Specialist, where she was responsible for developing protocols with IJM and aftercare partner staff for programs serving sex trafficking survivors in Southeast Asia and South Asia. Ultimately, she served as the Vice President of Aftercare, where Ms. Stout-LaBauve directed IJM aftercare efforts around the world to ensure the comprehensive needs of clients across casework types were met effectively and compassionately.

Since retiring, Ms. Stout-LaBauve has enjoyed volunteering for Big Brothers Big Sisters and Resilient Retreat. She currently serves on the Board of Directors at Resilient Retreat and enthusiastically supports their trauma-informed, evidence-based model of supporting trauma survivors and first responders.