ASU professor earns grants to uncover legal barriers for trauma survivors

When survivors of sexual violence come forward, their trauma often extends into the courtroom, compounded by the judicial process itself. Legal systems sometimes draw on medical knowledge to question or discredit testimonies of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), shaping rulings that can leave offenders acquitted and survivors without justice.

Professor Heewon Kim of Arizona State University’s Hugh Downs School of Human Communication is investigating how these practices affect survivors and perpetuate the unequal application of justice. As a scholar who also engages with stakeholders in South Korea, Kim recently earned international recognition through two external research grants that will support her ongoing investigation.

The grants were awarded by the Academy of Korean Studies, a research institution established by the South Korean government to advance global understanding of Korean society. Additional support came from the Organization for Feminist Research on Gender and Communication, a nonprofit dedicated to promoting scholarship and professional activity in feminism and gender studies.

Kim emphasized that the grants offer essential support for travel, fieldwork, data collection, analysis and interviews. They also enable her to mentor a graduate student at the Hugh Downs School, providing them with valuable hands-on research experience.

Kim’s research explores how legal systems define and validate “evidence” of trauma, examining which accounts are recognized in court and how those interpretations influence outcomes. Drawing on her experiences witnessing the suffering of sexual violence survivors in South Korea, she investigates the evolving strategies used to silence those who speak out.

Beyond her research, Kim serves on the advisory board of an anti-violence organization in Seoul and publishes in both English and Korean. Her broader body of work explores organizational justice, public health inequities and strategies to prevent violence, always with an emphasis on supporting those who face systemic barriers.

“This research will contribute to our understanding of how trauma is interpreted in the courts and how oppressive practices can be challenged,” Kim said. “The findings will generate practical implications for legal actors, including judges and attorneys, and will create pathways for more equitable treatment of survivors.”

By securing these competitive grants and involving students in her research, Kim advances ASU’s commitment to research with global impact that addresses pressing social challenges while also mentoring the next generation of scholars.