Can we tell stories of violence without reproducing harm? Aurora sits down with Nicole Engelbrecht of True Crime South Africa to unpack the ethics — and emotional toll — of the true crime genre.

⚠ Content note: This episode includes discussion of violent crime, murder, and hate-motivated violence, including references to the 2003 Sizzlers massacre in Cape Town. While approached with care and respect, some descriptions and themes may be distressing. Please prioritise your wellbeing and listen at your own pace.

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Website: https://truecrimesouthafrica.com/

Socials: @truecrimesouthafrica

Nicole Engelbrecht (she/her) is the creator and host of True Crime South Africa — the country’s most popular true crime podcast — and the author of several books, including Sizzlers and Bare Bones. Her work has redefined the genre locally by placing victims, not perpetrators, at the centre of the story.

I asked Nicole, "If you could design a True Crime Ethics Code, what would be the first four rules?" She referred me to victim advocate Julie Murray's CARE acronym, summarised in this infographic and at the end of this podcast episode.

00:00:00 Land acknowledgement

00:00:25 Title credits

00:01:06 Content note

00:01:48 Announcement

00:02:08 Welcome and introduction

00:05:57 The storyteller behind the mic

00:18:10 Whose stories get told?

00:24:07 Sizzlers and the silencing of queer pain

00:38:58 Walking the ethical tightrope

00:53:31 The human cost on the storyteller

01:14:16 Audiences and responsibility

01:05:39 True crimer self care

01:08:49 A true crime pro reimagines the genre

01:16:42 End credits

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