In this powerful conversation, Terra Newell speaks with criminologist and victimologist Dr. Danielle Slakoff about the ethics of true crime, the impact of media on co-victims, and why accuracy and empathy matter so much in storytelling. Danielle shares findings from her research with 20 co-victims, revealing both the harms and the surprising benefits of true crime coverage — from misinformation, sensationalism, and privacy invasion to awareness, education, and pressure on law enforcement.
They also explore how the true crime industry has changed, why professional standards are urgently needed, and what creators can do to better protect the people whose stories they tell. Danielle opens up about her own journey, the role grief played in shaping her research, and how her work in documentaries has deepened her commitment to ethical storytelling. If you care about true crime, media responsibility, or survivor-centered reporting, this episode is a must-listen.

About Dr. Slakoff

Dr. Danielle Slakoff is an award-winning Associate Professor of Criminal Justice at California State University, Sacramento (CSUS). She is a nationally-recognized expert on the media's portrayal of the criminal justice system and violence against women. Dr. Slakoff utilizes her degrees in journalism and criminal justice to provide a foundational basis for her research.

She is widely recognized for her extensive research on the "Missing White Woman Syndrome," examining how women and girls of color are portrayed differently than white women and girls in crime news coverage. Her more recent work investigates the ethical dimensions of true crime media and its impact on the loved ones of victims and missing persons. Dr. Slakoff also conducts research on intimate partner violence and victimology.

https://daniellecslakoff.weebly.com

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