Description In this episode of Perfect Prey, I’m joined by Ann Burgess, pioneering forensic nurse, researcher, educator, and author of Expert Witness. Ann’s groundbreaking work transformed how professionals understand trauma, victimization, sexual violence, and offender behavior. Her research has influenced criminal investigations, forensic psychology, victim advocacy, and some of the most well-known criminal cases in modern history. Together, we explore the long-term impact of trauma, why victims are so often disbelieved, and how systems continue to fail those who come forward. Ann shares insights from decades of work studying victims, offenders, serial violence, child abuse, and the psychology of coercion and control. We also discuss institutional betrayal, trauma responses in children and adults, family court failures, pornography, grooming, and what it takes to create meaningful change within systems that were never designed to fully protect victims. What we cover Ann Burgess’s pioneering work in victimology and forensic nursing How trauma impacts behavior across the lifespan Why victims are often disbelieved by systems and institutions Institutional betrayal and systemic failures Coercive control, fear, and psychological abuse Trauma responses in children and adolescents Child sexual abuse and delayed disclosure Family court, victim credibility, and expert testimony The role of pornography and grooming in abusive behavior The Menendez case and evolving understandings of trauma Why trauma-informed education is critical for professionals How offender thinking patterns develop and escalate Why listen If you are a survivor, clinician, attorney, advocate, educator, or protective parent, this episode offers a rare opportunity to hear from one of the most influential voices in trauma and victim research. Ann Burgess’s work helped shape how we understand trauma today. Her insights illuminate why victims respond the way they do, why systems often misunderstand those responses, and why meaningful reform requires us to listen more closely to survivors’ experiences. Guest Bio Ann Burgess, DNSc, APRN, FAAN is an internationally recognized forensic nurse, researcher, educator, and author. She is a professor at Boston College and has spent decades studying trauma, victimization, sexual violence, serial offenders, and forensic mental health. Ann's groundbreaking research on rape trauma syndrome helped transform the understanding of victim responses to sexual assault. She has consulted with the FBI's Behavioral Science Unit, contributed to offender profiling research, and served as an expert witness in numerous high-profile cases. She is the author of several books, including Expert Witness, which chronicles her work at the intersection of trauma, criminal behavior, and justice. Connect with Ann Burgess Book: Expert Witnesshttps://www.amazon.com/stores/Ann-W.-Burgess/author/B0H13DQXPP?ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_3&qid=1780604748&sr=1-3&shoppingPortalEnabled=true&ccs_id=9489809f-1ae4-4998-b8db-a0cbcc536d23 Boston College Faculty Profile: https://www.bc.edu Connect with Dr. Christine Protective Parenting Program: https://www.coercivecontrolconsulting.com/services/for-parents/ Dr. C’s Community: https://go.drcocchiola.com/innercirclecommunity Official site: https://www.coercivecontrolconsulting.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DrCocchiola-coercivecontrol/videos TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@dr.c_coercivecontrol Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.cocchiola_coercivecontrol/ TEDxTalks: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gp2qByKOue4&t=24s Books: https://url-shortener.me/c/FramedBook https://url-shortener.me/c/EveryMomentOfEveryDay If this episode landed for you, please share it with someone who needs to hear it, subscribe for more trauma-informed conversations, and consider leaving a review — it helps other survivors find validation and safety. — Dr. Christine Cocchiola & Ann Burgess
