Baltimore: Sister Cathy's Psychology of Abuse 2

Foul Play: A Historical True Crime Podcast

Shane L. Waters, Wendy Cee, Gemma Hoskins

History, True Crime, Society & Culture

4.5 • 992 Ratings

🗓️ 26 June 2019

⏱️ 37 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

In this second installment of a compelling three-part series, our hosts Shane and Gemma examine into the complex psychological terrain of abuse with Dr. Ellen Lacter, an expert on the harrowing effects of extreme and ritual abuse. This episode offers a sobering look at the mechanisms of dissociation, a survival strategy for victims during overwhelming trauma, and how these fractures in consciousness can echo through a lifetime of aftereffects. Dr. Lacter's insights into the psychological responses to abuse, from the body's automatic reactions to the enduring inner turmoil of self-blame, provide a stark backdrop to the ongoing story of Sister Cathy Cesnik's unresolved case.

The conversation takes on an even more profound dimension as it explores the insidious influence of religious authority in perpetuating abuse, a painful thread woven through the dark the history uncovered by The Keepers. Jean Wehner, whose story of survival and search for truth was a focal point of the Netflix documentary, joins the discussion, offering a first-hand account of the devastation wrought by such crimes and the arduous path towards healing.

As Shane and Gemma, together with their guests, work through this difficult but necessary discourse, they also share Dr. Lacter's therapeutic approach. By helping victims reframe their trauma, Dr. Lacter aids in reclaiming the narrative of their lives from the clutches of their abusers. For listeners who are grappling with similar shadows, this episode could be a beacon of understanding and hope.
We invite you to continue this journey with us, as we seek to uncover the layers of trauma and recovery intertwined with Sister Cathy's story.

Visit itsfoulplay.com to learn more, share your insights, or find resources if you or someone you know needs help. Together, we keep the conversation going, in pursuit of healing and justice. Our Sponsors: * Check out Kensington Publishing: https://www.kensingtonbooks.com * Check out Mood and use my code SHANE for a great deal: https://mood.com Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Transcript

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0:00.0	I'm going to Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, Dr Lachter, I have a question about whether or not you've been able to have any experiences
0:35.3	with talking to abusers about the kinds of things that you're discussing with Gene,
0:41.5	whether or not that's a part of your research or if you've been able to get
0:45.2	any insights into what is in their heads when you discuss this.
0:51.6	Mostly I understand the abusers through the victims.
0:57.0	Sometimes I'll get a very step by step description of what they do, what they say,
1:04.0	how the emotion that they have,
1:07.0	is it like cold, sadistic, mocking, ridicule,
1:12.0	or is it ferocious, or is it dependent needy? I love you, you know, nobody else.
1:18.0	Your mother doesn't love me but you love me and I love that kind of thing.
1:22.8	I mostly understand the abuser's mind
1:26.9	from the descriptions by the victims.
1:30.0	The limited direct work with abusers, you don't want to mix those people in your waiting room.
1:36.9	I did a couple of extensive psychological evaluations.
1:41.1	I wouldn't say I would get as David so like one in a prison another in a day where
1:47.4	nobody else was coming in I reserved the whole day and I don't think I'm gonna level
1:51.0	with you anyway about what they're thinking and how many of them know why they're doing what they're doing and even if they were very
2:00.6	deadly abused and now they're directing that into victimizing somebody else.
2:07.7	Usually they're doing that as a defense against knowing their own abuse so instead of facing their own abuse. So instead of facing their own terror and helplessness,
2:16.3	betrayal, all of that, they switch to the top dog
2:21.6	position to defend against awareness of what it was to be the underdog and they're usually, as far as knowing why they do it, I wouldn't say the insight wouldn't be good otherwise they wouldn't be doing it.
2:36.0	Right. When you talk about ritual abuse, especially if the kid is born into it and
	...

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