Bonus Episode: Victims Are Often Blamed Instead of Protected

Ask The Lemon Tree Coaching Podcast a Question. Text the TLT Pod today. Why do societies so often hold victims responsible while overlooking those who caused the harm? In this bonus episode, Dr. Allison Sucamele explores one of the most psychologically significant aspects of Ovid's Metamorphoses: after Medusa is assaulted by Poseidon, it is Medusa—not Poseidon—whose life is permanently altered. Drawing on psychology, Dr. Sucamele examines victim blaming through Melvin Lerner's Just World Hypothesis, Judith Herman's work on trauma, and the concept of institutional betrayal. Together, these ideas help explain why people sometimes focus on the behavior of those who were harmed rather than the actions of those who caused the harm. Using Medusa's story as a symbolic lens, this short bonus episode invites listeners to consider where accountability belongs, how trauma changes the way people are perceived, and what it means to build communities that protect rather than punish. Books Mentioned Metamorphoses — Ovid Trauma and Recovery — Judith Herman The Belief in a Just World: A Fundamental Delusion — Melvin J. Lerner Resources National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI): https://www.nami.org Psychology Today Therapist Directory: https://www.psychologytoday.com Open Path Psychotherapy Collective: https://openpathcollective.org Therapy for Black Girls: https://therapyforblackgirls.com Therapy for Black Men: https://therapyforblackmen.org Disclaimer The Lemon Tree Coaching Podcast is intended for educational and informational purposes only and should not be considered medical, psychological, or mental health advice. Listening to this podcast does not establish a therapeutic relationship. If you are experiencing significant emotional distress, please seek support from a licensed mental health professional or your healthcare provider. Crisis Resources (U.S.) If you or someone you know is in immediate danger or experiencing a mental health crisis, call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, available 24 hours a day. If there is an immediate emergency, call 911 or go to your nearest emergency department.