Narelle Fraser Interviews

Deb didn't choose quiet, unassuming roles as a NSW Policewoman, her roles have included Crime Scene Officer, Child Protection Register, Domestic Violence Sergeant at Dubbo ('The Wiild West' as she describes it), & Custody Sergeant. She's worked in remote NSW which included policing an indigenous mission, something she admits she was completely unprepared for. She's seen all sides of policing - the good which was great, but the bad which she found incredibly distressing & disturbing. In her role with the Child Protection Register she saw a level of depravity she'd never seen before & as a result, everyone became a threat to her children. After 20+ years, Deb "lost it" one day & never returned. She has had stints of weeks-at-a-time in a mental health facility but credits those stays with helping her re-connect with a kinder world, a more peaceful world & with a Bachelor of Criminology under her belt, she now helps some of the states most troubled offenders. And to think she wasn't sure if her story would be interesting enough!!!

Support Services include:

BeyondBlue: 1300 224 636

Lifeline: 131 114

Suicide Call Back Service: 1300 659 467

Mental Health Line 1800 011 511 (NSW Health's 24/7 statewide FREE service linking people with NSW Health mental health services

Emerge & See NSW m: 0491 020 061 e: [email protected] (Peer led mental health charity for NSW & ACT emergency service personnel & their families)

Phoenix Australia (assists in Posttraumatic Mental Health) 1800 329 191

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Ivy Jensen is a true crime tragic & relishes in her role as a journalist in regional Victoria. Her values & ethics remain the most important part of her role & feels passionate about her responsibility to report the matters she covers fairly, truthfully & accurately with compassion & care for not only those personally affected by the story she's writing, but also for those reading those stories. Ivy attended the Victorian premiere of my documentary The Policewoman in Echuca & her review gained front page status which is testament to her incredible gift as a journalist. Her passion for true crime is never far away & bubbles just below the surface!!

Website detailing information about The Policewoman including screening times/places etc can be found at: www.thepolicewoman.com.au

The Riverine Herald - www.riverineherald.com.au

The Campaspe News - www.campaspenews.com.au

Support Services include:

BeyondBlue: 1300 224 636

Lifeline: 131 114

Victims of Crime Helpline1800 819 817 or text 0427 767 891

Hrs: 8am-7pm Monday to Friday

8am-5pm Saturday, Sunday & public holidays

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Andrew 'Atto' Atkinson never wanted to go on leave, he loved Policing that much. Atto spent 16 of his 28yr career working at the Technical Surveillance Unit, watching & following our most dangerous criminals, creeping into their houses to install listening devices with him & his colleagues risking their lives at every job.

During his career, Atto undertook a number of international secondments with United Nations to East Timor & Iraq. During his East Timor secondment in 2001 Atto was stabbed & in early 2002 he was diagnosed with PTSI. Atto lived in denial & was deployed to Iraq in 2004 & back to East Timor in 2006. Admitting or even thinking about having been diagnosed with a mental illness wasn’t an option & as unwell as Atto was, his panacea was his work – he loved just about every minute of it. He breathed it, cherished it, valued it & couldn’t get enough of it until 2019 when Atto found the courage to face the fact, he was very mentally unwell. Atto has endured some tough times since 2019, including being diagnosed with epilepsy, but then he met Sophie & she has changed his world.

Support Services include:

Police Veterans Victoria e: [email protected]

BeyondBlue: 1300 224 636

Lifeline: 131 114

The Black Dog Institute Clinic 02 9382 2991 or Reception (02) 9382 4530 e: [email protected]

Mens HelpLine 1300 78 99 78

Crisis Assessment & Treatment Team: 1800 022 222

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WARNING: In today's podcast we discuss issues around paedophilia,

Justin is an expert when it comes to media - he's an author, broadcaster & journalist who works for outlets such as Herald Sun, ABC Radio, Channel 7 & sky news. He is like a dog with a bone when it comes to highlighting problems within our legal system & the number of 'soft' sentences given by our courts.. Justin relates a concerning situation with the CEO of a Basketball Club here in Victoria who managed to keep secret, his serious sex offending & the pathetic response when his offending was discovered. Justin shares his thoughts on other issues including character references, working with children legislation & what needs to be done to keep our children safe from paedophiles. You might need to take a long walk after listening to us!!

Support services include;

BeyondBlue: 1300 224 636

Lifeline: 131 114

The Orange Door (Western Melb: 1800 271 045) Brimbank Melton 1800 271 046)

Mens HelpLine 1300 78 99 78

Victims of Crime Helpline: 1800 819 817 or Text: 0427 767 891

1800 Respect: 1800 737 732

Community Legal Centres: 9652 1501

Victorian Legal Aid: 1300 792 387

Court Network: 1800 571 239

Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service: 1800 064 865

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Craig Heslop is Chief Executive Officer & Board Member of Buddy Up Australia, an organisation who's mission is to ensure those who served their country or community are given the respect & support by the people who relied upon them. He was a member of New Zealand Police for many years where he thought outside the square when dealing with youth & organised crime figures & those who fall prey to the often smart & charasmatic 'recruiters'. Craig became frustrated with a legal system which he likened to a fishing trip - catching & releasing offenders, catching them again & releasing them again. His ideas proved successful but ultimately it was decided the money was more relevant elsewhere.

Buddy Up Australia contact details:

1300 030 354

P O Box 611 Hillarys WA 6923

e: [email protected]

Support services include;

BeyondBlue: 1300 224 636

Lifeline: 131 114

Suicide Call Back Service: 1300 659 467

Mens HelpLine 1300 78 99 78

Phoenix Australia (assists in Posttraumatic Mental Health) 1800 329 191

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Dr Claire Pasvolsky has a PhD in Media & Communications in Screenwriting & did her thesis on Stalking. Today, Claire takes us through how she went from hearing a true-crime podcast whilst doing the dishes at home, to writing/producing & directing with her husband Steve, a documentary following the 27yr career of a Policewoman (yes folks, that's me!!) who's career ended abruptly after being diagnosed with PTSD. Claire has managed to tell this story with compassion & incredible insight whilst trying to navigate the fine line of how much detail she could reveal & re-tell without traumatising the audience. With a strong background in drama, she's managed to produce a compelling documentary that will take the audience on a rollercoaster of emotions & walk away with a rare insight into the reality of being a first responder.

The Policewoman - World premiere 4th September, Cinefest Oz film festival Bussellton, W.A.

The Policewoman - Victorian premiere 17th October, Echuca Paramount Theatre - further details to follow re times & ticketing

The Policewoman - to be released in cinemas from 5th November 2026

Further Advance Screenings to be announced for Melbourne, Sydney, Adelaide & beyond, shortly

Support Services include:

BeyondBlue: 1300 224 636

Lifeline: 131 114

Suicide Call Back Service: 1300 659 467

Mental Health Line 1800 011 511 (NSW Health's 24/7 statewide FREE service linking people with NSW Health mental health services

Mens HelpLine 1300 78 99 78

Phoenix Australia (assists in Posttraumatic Mental Health) 1800 329 191

Police Veterans Victoria 1300 090 995

Victoria Police Association 9468 2600

QLife - peer support for LGBTQIA+ 1800 184 527 (3pm - 9pm 7 days/week)

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Melissa had only ever wanted to be a Policewoman & joined virtually the minute she was old enough (18yr 6 months) & loved the fulfilment & satisfaction she gained from her work. And then one day, she recalls "my head broke" & she came crashing down, having no idea how mentally unwell she was. A hospital psych said one time, "You were only injured because you were brave" & it changed her whole mindset because until then, she'd felt she was 'weak' for becoming unwell. Mel's candid honesty about her multiple admissions to a psych hospital are refreshing to hear & how accepted & validated she felt on walking through those doors. An amazing woman...

Mad Mel's Mic - Podcast on Spotify

https://www.madmelsmic.com

Emerge & See (supporting cirrent & former serving paid & volunteer Emergency Service Workers in NSW & ACT Australia)

• e: [email protected]
• m: 0491 020 061

Other support services include;

BeyondBlue: 1300 224 636

Lifeline: 131 114

Suicide Call Back Service: 1300 659 467

Mental Health Line 1800 011 511 (NSW Health's 24/7 statewide FREE service linking people with NSW Health mental health services

Mens HelpLine 1300 78 99 78

Phoenix Australia (assists in Posttraumatic Mental Health) 1800 329 191

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

WARNING: B/W THE TIMES OF 1915 & 2010 RON DESCRIBES AN INCIDENT INVOLVING PHYSICAL ABUSE OF A CHILD WHICH IS DISTRESSING. CONSIDER FAST FORWARDING THIS BIT

Ron shares with us some of his proudest moments & biggest challenges in his role as a 29yr NSW Police member. After many years in his senior role with Police Prosecutions Ron decided to swap sides at the bar table & become a Defence Lawyer. Ron's Policing experience has given him a rare insight many Defence Lawyers don't have. He provides some helpful hints for those attending court (both Police & civilians) in what to say, what NOT to say & some of the mistakes people make in the witness box. Ron explains how he represents those who've committed horrendous crimes & to be honest, it gave me a different perspective. It's about understanding the human side of us all & he does.

Notes:

e: Ron Davis @ Dorahy Davis Lawyers.com

Dorahy Davis Lawyers - experts in Criminal Law, Employment Law, Traffic Law, Wills & Estates.

439 Market Street Woolongong, 2 doors from Woolongong Court House

Ron & his wife Amanda are available 24/7 & guarantee when you call, you'll either speak with Ron or Amanda.

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WARNING - THIS EPISODE DISCUSSES SUICIDE

Justyn loved the majority of his 25yr NSW Police career but there were some incidents which had a marked effect on him & which resulted in him being diagnosed with PTSD. Justyn wasn't sure what was wrong but felt something was - his panic attacks became more prevalent & he began to dread what job or scene might come up next. He knew by discussing his fears he'd more than likely be 'grounded' from the Airwing but in the end he realised he was not only putting himself in danger, but his colleagues also. Justyn isn't sure what the future holds but there's a silver lining in his story & that's with the valuable time he's now having with his family & enjoying being a stay-at-home-father.

'Hidden Scars' - available through Justyn's website: [email protected]

Support Services include;

BeyondBlue: 1300 224 636

Lifeline: 131 114

Suicide Call Back Service: 1300 659 467

The Crisis Assessment & Treatment Team 1800 022 222

Mens HelpLine 1300 78 99 78

Phoenix Australia (assists in Posttraumatic Mental Health) 1800 329 191

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.