We’re trying to understand how we can better insert victims rights into the legal process… without superseding the rights for accused individuals.

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.

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.

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. 

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.

Jane Aster Roe - Executive Producer, Host

Thank you for listening. Be kind to yourself and to one another.

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. 

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.

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.

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. 

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.

Jane Aster Roe - Executive Producer, Host

Thank you for listening. Be kind to yourself and to one another.

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.

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.

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. 

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.

Jane Aster Roe - Executive Producer, Host

Thank you for listening. Be kind to yourself and to one another.

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. 

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.

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. 

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.

Jane Aster Roe - Executive Producer, Host

Thank you for listening. Be kind to yourself and to one another.