Jerry Dunn, a clinical associate professor of psychology and the director Children’s Advocacy Services of Greater St. Louis at UMSL, talks to KMOV (Channel 4) about victimization. (Photo by August Jennewein)
As director of the Children’s Advocacy Services of Greater St. Louis at the University of Missouri–St. Louis, Jerry Dunn is all too familiar with the ways that perpetrators attempt to shame their victims.
Dunn, a clinical associate professor of psychology and the director of the CASGSL, spoke to KMOV (Channel 4) May 10 about a local case in which the victim is re-victimized by a relative of the perpetrator.
“‘People will look at you, and they’ll blame you.’ Those are pretty classic features of the way a perpetrator will try to keep a victim quiet,” she said.
CASGSL provides forensic interviews and ongoing treatment for children ages 3 through 17 who have been the victims of child abuse and neglect. Each year, it serves approximately 800 children affected by different types of traumatic events, including childhood sexual abuse, physical abuse and neglect. The center also trains graduate students from psychology, social work, counseling and criminal justice in how to respond to child maltreatment and trauma.
