The Perfect Victim

The Perfect Victim

We’re looking at what makes an ideal victim in the eyes of the law, and society, and who is more likely to be believed. KEY TOPICS 0:11 - The week before Jane's case went to trial 1:57 - The damsel in distress archetype 3:17 - Nils Christie's ideal victim theory 4:51 - Phil's story: when male survivors are dismissed 8:00 - Ann's case: when victims don't fit the mold 9:34 - Race and credibility 11:03 - Vanessa's story: when assumptions are made 12:25 - Lem's experience: becoming your own advocate 13:06 - Mental illness and credibility 18:40 - Why the "perfect victim" stereotype is a trap All sources, statistics, multimedia clips, and music credits are available on Substack [http://thedefendants.substack.com/episode-3-the-perfect-victim]. ABOUT THE DEFENDANTS The Defendants is a podcast exploring how sexual assault cases move through the justice system… and why it never seems to work in favour of victims. We want to know what has to change within the system for it to actually work, and we are interrogating what justice means in the aftermath of trauma. This is a podcast where we figure out exactly how this system fails, why, and what to do about it. SUPPORT THIS PROJECT Thanks for listening and being a part of this conversation. This is a completely grassroots, independent podcast. Your support directly funds our ability to continue.  * Subscribe to our Substack [https://thedefendants.substack.com/] for additional content and ongoing conversations. We also have a mail club! Get monthly artwork and letters to continue the conversation… offline, where the best communities are built. * Make a one-time donation. [https://buymeacoffee.com/thedefendants] Visit: https://buymeacoffee.com/thedefendants * Subscribe to this show on your preferred podcast platform Apple [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-defendants/id1881155532] | Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/3lcxjDrwgvvGHguVr8887n] * Share with a friend and help grow the conversation GET IN TOUCH * Questions or ideas about the show? defendantspodoutreach@protonmail.com * Follow on Instagram: @thedefendantspodcast [https://instagram.com/thedefendantspodcast] | @jane_aster_roe [https://instagram.com/jane_aster_roe] * Media appearances: daltonhiggins@gmail.com RESOURCES FOR SURVIVORS SA Survivor Resource Document [https://docs.google.com/document/d/12zad9NepQqKFgypq4P6P6vsD_2y1EY7wHjc6DAkSxH8/edit?usp=sharing] - This document contains Canadian, U.S, and global sources to find guidance, information, and aid for survivors of sexual assault. Detailed descriptions of each resource within the document. OUR TEAM Jane Aster Roe - Executive Producer, Host Rachel Arundel - Executive Producer Katie Jensen - Executive Producer, Editor, Sound Designer Jessica Strachan - Story Producer Charlotte Gregg - Research Producer Isis Madrid - Editor, Sound Designer Rachel Bromberg - Fact Checker Dawson Fleming - Production Assistant Michelle Crossman - Mental Health Consultant Lindsey Keene - Outreach Coordinator Cheryl Grossman - Legal Dalton Higgins - Publicity Kathlyn Gardner - Events Thank you for listening. Be kind to yourself and to one another.

You Have The Right To An Attorney

We’re trying to understand how we can better insert victims rights into the legal process… without superseding the rights for accused individuals. KEY TOPICS 0:10 - Accused rights and victim rights 3:56 - Jane's police interview 6:32 - Understanding legal terminology: complainant, defendant, accused 7:51 - Who supports victims through the system 10:57 - Shannon's story: the permanence and power of a statement 12:07 - Cross-examination and victim preparation 15:18 - Defence lawyer perspectives 20:16 - Striking a balance between accused and complainants' rights All sources, statistics, multimedia clips, and music credits are available on Substack. [https://thedefendants.substack.com/p/episode-2-you-have-the-right-to-an] ABOUT THE DEFENDANTS The Defendants is a podcast exploring how sexual assault cases move through the justice system… and why it never seems to work in favour of victims. We want to know what has to change within the system for it to actually work, and we are interrogating what justice means in the aftermath of trauma. This is a podcast where we figure out exactly how this system fails, why, and what to do about it. SUPPORT THIS PROJECT Thanks for listening and being a part of this conversation. This is a completely grassroots, independent podcast. Your support directly funds our ability to continue.  * Subscribe to our Substack [https://thedefendants.substack.com/] for additional content and ongoing conversations. We also have a mail club! Get monthly artwork and letters to continue the conversation… offline, where the best communities are built. * Make a one-time donation. [https://buymeacoffee.com/thedefendants] Visit: https://buymeacoffee.com/thedefendants * Subscribe to this show on your preferred podcast platform Apple [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-defendants/id1881155532] | Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/3lcxjDrwgvvGHguVr8887n] * Share with a friend and help grow the conversation GET IN TOUCH * Questions or ideas about the show? defendantspodoutreach@protonmail.com * Follow on Instagram: @thedefendantspodcast [https://instagram.com/thedefendantspodcast] | @jane_aster_roe [https://instagram.com/jane_aster_roe] * Media appearances: daltonhiggins@gmail.com RESOURCES FOR SURVIVORS SA Survivor Resource Document [https://docs.google.com/document/d/12zad9NepQqKFgypq4P6P6vsD_2y1EY7wHjc6DAkSxH8/edit?usp=sharing] - This document contains Canadian, U.S, and global sources to find guidance, information, and aid for survivors of sexual assault. Detailed descriptions of each resource within the document. OUR TEAM Jane Aster Roe - Executive Producer, Host Rachel Arundel - Executive Producer Katie Jensen - Executive Producer, Editor, Sound Designer Jessica Strachan - Story Producer Charlotte Gregg - Research Producer Isis Madrid - Editor, Sound Designer Rachel Bromberg - Fact Checker Dawson Fleming - Production Assistant Michelle Crossman - Mental Health Consultant Lindsey Keene - Outreach Coordinator Cheryl Grossman - Legal Dalton Higgins - Publicity Kathlyn Gardner - Events Thank you for listening. Be kind to yourself and to one another.

First Encounters

We take a look at first encounters: with the justice system, with telling someone, and with the law. We’re looking beyond the headlines to the root issues underneath, and we’re exploring the first steps in the process for victims: disclosure and the decision to go to the police.  KEY TOPICS 0:16 - Jane's personal disclosure story 2:13 - Headlines of the #MeToo Era 3:20 - Sexual assault statistics and underreporting 5:32 - The justice system is not broken (because it has never worked) 7:17 - Shannon's story: breaking five years of silence 11:32 - Riley's experience: deciding not to go to the police after experiencing grooming 12:20 - Georgia's experience: deciding not to go to the police after experiencing molestation 12:58 - Cait's experience: eight years in the system 13:45 - Victims' understanding of the legal system 15:17 - Getting independent legal advice 18:42 - What needs to change? All sources, statistics, multimedia clips, and music credits are available on Substack [https://thedefendants.substack.com/p/episode-1-first-encounters]. ABOUT THE DEFENDANTS The Defendants is a podcast exploring how sexual assault cases move through the justice system… and why it never seems to work in favour of victims. We want to know what has to change within the system for it to actually work, and we are interrogating what justice means in the aftermath of trauma. This is a podcast where we figure out exactly how this system fails, why, and what to do about it. SUPPORT THIS PROJECT Thanks for listening and being a part of this conversation. This is a completely grassroots, independent podcast. Your support directly funds our ability to continue.  * Subscribe to our Substack [https://thedefendants.substack.com/] for additional content and ongoing conversations. We also have a mail club! Get monthly artwork and letters to continue the conversation… offline, where the best communities are built. * Make a one-time donation. [https://buymeacoffee.com/thedefendants] Visit: https://buymeacoffee.com/thedefendants * Subscribe to this show on your preferred podcast platform Apple [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-defendants/id1881155532] | Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/3lcxjDrwgvvGHguVr8887n] * Share with a friend and help grow the conversation GET IN TOUCH * Questions or ideas about the show? defendantspodoutreach@protonmail.com * Follow on Instagram: @thedefendantspodcast [https://instagram.com/thedefendantspodcast] | @jane_aster_roe [https://instagram.com/jane_aster_roe] * Media appearances: daltonhiggins@gmail.com RESOURCES FOR SURVIVORS SA Survivor Resource Document [https://docs.google.com/document/d/12zad9NepQqKFgypq4P6P6vsD_2y1EY7wHjc6DAkSxH8/edit?usp=sharing] - This document contains Canadian, U.S, and global sources to find guidance, information, and aid for survivors of sexual assault. Detailed descriptions of each resource within the document. OUR TEAM Jane Aster Roe - Executive Producer, Host Rachel Arundel - Executive Producer Katie Jensen - Executive Producer, Editor, Sound Designer Jessica Strachan - Story Producer Charlotte Gregg - Research Producer Isis Madrid - Editor, Sound Designer Rachel Bromberg - Fact Checker Dawson Fleming - Production Assistant Michelle Crossman - Mental Health Consultant Lindsey Keene - Outreach Coordinator Cheryl Grossman - Legal Dalton Higgins - Publicity Kathlyn Gardner - Events Thank you for listening. Be kind to yourself and to one another.

I Told a Friend

I didn’t know how to talk about it. Or even what to call it. First, I told a friend. The Defendants is a podcast about what happens after.. how sexual assault cases move through the justice system, and why so many of them fall apart. It starts here. This is The Defendants. ABOUT THE DEFENDANTS The Defendants is a podcast exploring how sexual assault cases move through the justice system… and why it never seems to work in favour of victims. We want to know what has to change within the system for it to actually work, and we are interrogating what justice means in the aftermath of trauma. This is a podcast where we figure out exactly how this system fails, why, and what to do about it. SUPPORT THIS PROJECT Thanks for listening and being a part of this conversation. This is a completely grassroots, independent podcast. Your support directly funds our ability to continue.  * Subscribe to our Substack [https://thedefendants.substack.com/] for additional content and ongoing conversations. We also have a mail club! Get monthly artwork and letters to continue the conversation… offline, where the best communities are built. * Make a one-time donation. [https://buymeacoffee.com/thedefendants] Visit: https://buymeacoffee.com/thedefendants * Subscribe to this show on your preferred podcast platform Apple [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-defendants/id1881155532] | Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/3lcxjDrwgvvGHguVr8887n] * Share with a friend and help grow the conversation GET IN TOUCH * Questions or ideas about the show? defendantspodoutreach@protonmail.com * Follow on Instagram: @thedefendantspodcast [https://instagram.com/thedefendantspodcast] | @jane_aster_roe [https://instagram.com/jane_aster_roe] * Media appearances: daltonhiggins@gmail.com RESOURCES FOR SURVIVORS SA Survivor Resource Document [https://docs.google.com/document/d/12zad9NepQqKFgypq4P6P6vsD_2y1EY7wHjc6DAkSxH8/edit?usp=sharing] - This document contains Canadian, U.S, and global sources to find guidance, information, and aid for survivors of sexual assault. Detailed descriptions of each resource within the document. OUR TEAM Jane Aster Roe - Executive Producer, Host Rachel Arundel - Executive Producer Katie Jensen - Executive Producer, Editor, Sound Designer Jessica Strachan - Story Producer Charlotte Gregg - Research Producer Isis Madrid - Editor, Sound Designer Rachel Bromberg - Fact Checker Dawson Fleming - Production Assistant Michelle Crossman - Mental Health Consultant Lindsey Keene - Outreach Coordinator Cheryl Grossman - Legal Dalton Higgins - Publicity Kathlyn Gardner - Events Thank you for listening. Be kind to yourself and to one another.

What is The Defendants?

The Defendants is a podcast exploring how sexual assault cases move through the justice system… and why it never seems to work in favour of victims. We want to know what has to change within the system for it to actually work, and we are interrogating what justice means in the aftermath of trauma. This is a podcast where we figure out exactly how this system fails, why, and what to do about it. About The Defendants The Defendants is a podcast exploring how sexual assault cases move through the justice system… and why it never seems to work in favour of victims. We want to know what has to change within the system for it to actually work, and we are interrogating what justice means in the aftermath of trauma. This is a podcast where we figure out exactly how this system fails, why, and what to do about it. Support This Project Thanks for listening and being a part of this conversation. This is a completely grassroots, independent podcast. Your support directly funds our ability to continue.  - Subscribe to our Substack for additional content and ongoing conversations. We also have a mail club! Get monthly artwork and letters to continue the conversation… offline, where the best communities are built. - Make a one-time donation. Visit: https://buymeacoffee.com/thedefendants - Subscribe to this show on your preferred podcast platform Apple | Spotify - Share with a friend and help grow the conversation Get in Touch - Questions or ideas about the show? defendantspodoutreach@protonmail.com - Follow on Instagram: @thedefendantspodcast | @jane_aster_roe - Media appearances: daltonhiggins@gmail.com Resources for Survivors SA Survivor Resource Document - This document contains Canadian, U.S, and global sources to find guidance, information, and aid for survivors of sexual assault. Detailed descriptions of each resource within the document. Our Team Jane Aster Roe - Executive Producer, Host Rachel Arundel - Executive Producer Katie Jensen - Executive Producer, Editor, Sound Designer Jessica Strachan - Story Producer Charlotte Gregg - Research Producer Isis Madrid - Editor, Sound Designer Rachel Bromberg - Fact Checker Dawson Fleming - Production Assistant Michelle Crossman - Mental Health Consultant Lindsey Keene - Outreach Coordinator Cheryl Grossman - Legal Dalton Higgins - Publicity Kathlyn Gardner - Events Thank you for listening. Be kind to yourself and to one another.