S4 Ep32: Jessica Buttafuoco is Coming for Them: Special Bonus episode interview with Jessica Buttafuoco
Strange and Unexplained with Daisy Eagan
Why did the shooting of Jessica's mother become a national sensation in the 1990s?
The shooting of Jessica's mother, Amy Jo, by her father's underage mistress, Amy Fisher, became a national sensation due to its scandalous nature. The case was highly sensationalized, turning into a pop culture phenomenon with media coverage, Lifetime movies, and even SNL skits.
How did the media's treatment of Jessica's mother and family affect Jessica's early life?
The media's treatment of Jessica's mother and family deeply affected Jessica's early life. It led to a loss of privacy, constant public scrutiny, and a sense of exploitation, which contributed to her emotional and mental trauma. She grew up with a complete inability to trust people and form genuine relationships.
Why did Jessica decide to cut her father out of her life?
Jessica decided to cut her father out of her life after a mental breakdown at 35 years old, where she realized he was the common denominator of most of her problems. His constant involvement in bad business practices and toxic relationships caused her ongoing trauma, PTSD, and anxiety, making it necessary for her to create boundaries for her mental health.
What is Jessica doing now to help victims of crime and their families?
Jessica is now pursuing a PhD in media psychology, focusing on the impact of the true crime genre on victims and their families. She works as an on-set liaison and consultant to ensure psychological safety and advocate for ethical guidelines. She also aims to create legislation for providing aftercare to interview subjects and victims.
Why does Jessica believe content creators and media companies should provide aftercare to victims and survivors they interview?
Jessica believes content creators and media companies should provide aftercare because the re-traumatization from interviews and public exposure can lead to severe mental health issues, including depression, anxiety, and even suicide. Providing aftercare, such as therapy sessions or support services, can help mitigate these effects and show respect for the subjects' well-being.
What impact did the shooting have on Jessica's mother's life and her advocacy work?
The shooting left Jessica's mother with severe physical and emotional scars, including facial paralysis, heart problems, and depression. Despite this, she became an advocate for victims of gun violence, emotional abuse, and facial differences, writing a book and starting the Facial Paralysis Institute. She also speaks publicly about her experiences to help others.
How does Jessica plan to use her PhD to make a change in the true crime and reality TV industries?
Jessica plans to use her PhD in media psychology to create scientific evidence and data showing how practices in true crime and reality TV harm victims and their families. She aims to educate media professionals through presentations, workshops, and ethical guidelines, and to push for legislation to establish a governing board to enforce ethical standards.
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