Research professor Jessica Stern is an expert in the connection between trauma and terrorism. In this interview she talks about her experience following a rape at age 15, and how her story was not believed by the police—resulting in more than 40 other children being targeted. Jessica describes living with PTSD, and experiencing a confusing lack of fear in dangerous situations while also feeling panicked by small triggers that she did not know were connected to her trauma. Ultimately Jessica sees her capacity to be intensely curious and empathic towards violent men as a way to try and make sense of what happened to her.
