November 2023 Courage in Action
In a thought-provoking conversation with Amy Polacko for Ms. Magazine, I explored the profound issue of institutional betrayal within the family court system. This type of betrayal can stem from various factors, including sexism, racism, greed, or simply ignorance. It is vital to educate those within the system, especially judges, to prevent such harmful outcomes.
Polacko quoted me in her Ms. Magazine article regarding the harm of institutional betrayal:
“Institutional betrayal can occur through ignorance, meaning you don’t have to wake up with evil thoughts to cause harm. You can cause harm because you’re ignorant and don’t understand interpersonal violence,” said Dr. Jennifer Freyd, founder and president of the Center for Institutional Courage, who has studied this subject for decades. “Betrayal is really damaging. It adds so much risk to people, causing them to get post-trauma symptoms to their physical health and mental health. It’s toxic.”
Polacko went on to note the gravity of the issue of harm, writing in Ms. Magazine:
This betrayal and trauma can even cause people to attempt suicide, Freyd said. Catherine Kassenoff, a New York mother and attorney who lost custody of her daughters said, in her last letters to friends, the family court system’s betrayal is what drove her to assisted suicide in May 2023. Kassenoff’s attorney admitted the court saw her as “unhinged” for being persistent in pursuit of her girls.
Research has indeed found a troubling association between institutional betrayal and an increased risk of suicide attempts, underlining the severe impact these experiences can have on individuals' well-being. This connection underscores the stakes involved in our work at the Center for Institutional Courage.
This is more than academic discourse; it's a matter of life and death. That's why the Center for Institutional Courage is committed to funding research that sheds light on both institutional betrayal and courage. However, to continue this crucial work, we rely on your support. If you are moved by the necessity of this research and wish to contribute to a new round of awards through our Institutional Courage Research Grant program, please consider supporting our grant program.
Read the full interview and join us in our mission to foster institutional courage.
Jennifer Joy Freyd, PhD
Founder and President
Center for Institutional Courage