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
New Zealand