463. Doubting Accusers; Protecting Abusers

The most devastating harm of sexual abuse isn't just the assault itself—it's the systemic disbelief that follows. In a powerful conversation with Northwestern Law professor Debra Turkheimer, the hosts of *Psychologists Off the Clock* expose how the legal and cultural systems are built to discredit survivors and protect abusers through what Turkheimer calls the 'credibility complex.' This isn't just about individual bias; it's embedded in law, from the way rape myths persist despite overwhelming statistics, to the 'he said, she said' framing that undermines victims' accounts. The episode reveals how the 'perfect victim' myth—requiring a woman to fight back, report immediately, and behave impeccably—creates a credibility discount for anyone who doesn't fit the mold. Meanwhile, powerful men receive a 'credibility inflation' that shields them from accountability. The real tragedy? Victims often anticipate being disbelieved before they even speak, and the aftermath—what Turkheimer calls the 'second assault'—can be more traumatic than the abuse. Yet, the data shows false reports are rare, and survivors who speak up almost never regret it. The episode ends with host Jill Stoddard’s personal mission: launching a new podcast, *We the Sunlight*, to amplify truth-tellers and prove that speaking up, despite the cost, is a path to healing and justice.