The Defendants

Aster Roe Productions
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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.

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  1. Oct 31 ·  Bonus

    Case Files: Witches!

    SA Survivor Resource Guide Support the show! Consider making a one time donation here. Go to our substack for articles and additional resources as well as the video of this episode.  The 2026 International Women in Podcast Nominees and Winners Etymology: witch, n. meanings, etymology and more | Oxford English Dictionary Witch - Etymology, Origin & Meaning | EtmyOnline Origin of Witchcraft Materials: Note: Jane and Anuja are simply providing an overview of materials. There are lots of fascinating materials on witchcraft and its origins including the material we’ve listed.  Documentary on the Origin of Witches: “History of Witches” presented by Lesley Jones for the Northeast Georgia History Center  The Witch Hunt Begins  Documentary presented by National Geographic Where do witches come from?  BBC Article - by Alastair Sooke Symbols: Bronze Age to Elphaba: The Centuries Old Origins of Witches Hats BBC Article by Scarlett Harris  Why Do Witches Fly On Brooms? The History Behind the Legend The History Channel - Sarah Pruitt Cauldrons, Broomsticks and Pointy Hats - A Real Witch Explains Refinery29 - Sarah Coghlin  Cauldrons and Flight Visions of Witchcraft from the Cornell Collection Cornell University online collection Why Do Witches Have Cats?  History Bombs by Charlie Burgess History of Cat in The Middle Ages The Great Cat  Why Black Cats are Associated with Halloween and Bad Luck  The History Channel - Elizabeth Yuko  Salem reference materials: Emerson W. Baker, A Storm of Witchcraft: The Salem Trials and the American Experience (Oxford: Oxford University Press) 2014 Elizabeth Reis, Damned Women: Sinners and Witches in Puritan New England (Ithaca: Cornell University Press) 1997 Carol F. Karlsen, The Devil in the Shape of a Women: Witchcraft in Colonial New England (New York: Norton) 1998 Salem Witch Trials Of 1692 | Landmarks, Events, & More Marilynne K. Roach, Six Women of Salem (Boston: Da Capo Press) 2013 Examination of Bridget Bishop, as recorded by Samuel Parris, Salem Witch Trials Collection at the Peabody Essex Museum Charles W. Upham, Salem Witchcraft and Cotton Mather. A Reply. (1869) Archived at Project Gutenberg Kenneth Silverman, ed. Selected Letters of Cotton Mather (Baton Rouge: Louisiana State University Press) 1971, pp. 35–40 Cotton Mather, Diary of Cotton Mather, (Boston: The Society)  Sarah Kreutter "The Devil's Specter: Spectral Evidence and the Salem Witchcraft Crisis", The Spectrum: A Scholars Day Journal (2.8) April 2013, archived at Wayback Machine 8 Movies The Witch  Directed by and written by Robert Eggers  Came out in 2015 Full title: The VVitch: A new-england folktale Hocus Pocus Directed by Kenny Ortega Screenplay by Neil Cuthburt and Mick Garris Story by Nick Garris and David Kirschner Came out in 1993  Practical Magic Directed by Griffin Dune Came out in 1998 Based on the Alice Hoffman book Screenplay by Robin Swicord Akiva Goldsman and Adam Brooks Get in Touch!If you have questions or ideas about the show we’d love to hear them! Email us at defendantspodoutreach@protonmail.com You can also find us on instagram: we’re @thedefendantspodcast and Jane is @jane_aster_roe If you want Jane to appear on your show, email Dalton Higgins at daltonhiggins@gmail.com. Our TeamJane Aster Roe - Executive Producer, Host Anuja Jaiswal - Host Rachel Arundel - Executive Producer Katie Jensen - Executive Producer Sound Designer Tess Barão - Audio and Video Editor

  2. Oct 22

    Case Files: Lindsay Clancy

    Thanks for listening and being a part of this conversation. This is a completely grassroots, independent project and our ability to continue depends on your support.  Subscribe to our Substack for additional content and please consider making a one time donation here. Any amount will help us continue.  It also helps to subscribe to this show and share it with a friend! Help grow the conversation.  Get in Touch! If you have questions or ideas about the show we’d love to hear them!  Email us at defendantspodoutreach@protonmail.com  You can also find us on instagram: we’re @thedefendantspodcast and Jane is @jane_aster_roe Resources: 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. Show Notes:  To be clear - at the end of the episode Jane is not arguing for prosecuting healthcare workers. She is making the point that prosecuting the healthcare system would make more sense than prosecuting Lindsay, if we, like the state of Massachusetts, were trying to drill down on blaming one culprit. This show remains anti-increased prosecution.  Correction - Jane misidentified ABC as the news organization that revealed the holdout jury member had a previous charge history of domestic violence and assault. It was actually NBC Boston. Note - the jury member was never found guilty and the charges were dropped.  Sources - Post Partum Healthcare and Filicide: Pregnancy and Women’s Mental Health in Canada  (A survey from Statistics Canada published in 2014 and modified in 2016 surveying mothers postpartum and prepartum and collating their experiences to determine risk factors for postpartum depression) National Library of Medicine - Perinatal Depression (Authors: Karen Carlson; Saba Mughal; Yusra Azhar; Waquar Siddiqui, published in 2025) CAMH - The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health - Perinatal Mood Disorders (From Baby Blues to Postpartum Psychosis, definitions and prevalence, an adapted version of Psychiatry in Primary Care by Ariel K Dalfen) Marie Shear’s quote, “feminism is the radical notion that women are people” appeared in a review she wrote for the 1985 book Feminist Dictionary. She wrote the review for the New Directions for Women, a feminist newsletter and it came out in June 1986. It’s very hard to find that original review, but we can trace back the source consistently to her, and to that review.  Of Women Born: Motherhood As Experience and Institution by Adrienne Rich (Adrienne Rich published this book in 1976 and coined the phrase “institution of motherhood”) Diabolical Lies - The Great Tradwife Exodus  (Can Jane do an episode without referencing Diabolical Lies? Yet to be seen! - In this episode Katie Gatti Tisen and Caro Claire Burke speak about Adreinne Rich’s work, and about postpartum mood disorders)  National Library of Medicine - Filicide  (A paper on filicide - the parental killing of a child, this study looks at both fathers and mothers committing the crime and came out in 2016, originally published in the Indian journal of psychiatry by Dr. Phillip J. Resnick) Family Annihilation: Debt Depression, and the Fragile Family  (Written by Louise Harrison in 2010, this piece looks at the the rise in Familicide in the aftermath of the 2008 recession - to Jane’s quote “fathers killing their families is a recession indicator”)  Economic Factor in the Rash of Murder Suicides (Written by Katherine S. van Wormer M.S.S.W., Ph.D. for Psychology today in 2010 - to Jane’s quote “fathers killing their families is a recession indicator”) The Case: Lindsay Clancy’s Civil Lawsuit The Prosecution’s Argument (What their argument was, and why they were forced to argue that way - explained by Serpa Law Office) Defense seeks Bifurcated Trial… and what that Means (from NBC Boston) Lindsay Clancy and the Limits of the Insanity Defense  (Boston Political Review) Judge Denies Lindsay Clancy’s Request to Split Trial into 2 Parts (From CourtTV - includes his quote and reasoning) The Stipulation to Guilt and Rejection from Prosecutors  (ABC News) The Stipulation to Guilt and Rejection from Prosecutors (The Boston Globe - Contains the quote from prosecutors that they would "not agree to any stipulations of fact regarding the violent and painful murders") Note: Jane also watched several testimonies including Patrick Clancy’s, and Lindsay’s mother in law, Sue Clancy. She used Court TV on youtube for this.  Patrick Clancy’s Initial Quote Forgiving Lindsay (The full published statement that was published to the Gofundme Page - this statement includes the plea for the public to forgive Lindsay)  Patrick Clancy’s New Yorker Profile Which Includes the “I wasn’t Married to a Monster” Quote (This profile came out before the trial and includes the quote “I wasn’t married to a monster, I was married to someone who got sick”) Variety Article Summarizing the Patrick Clancy Ferver  (Written by Addie Morfoot - The comment section is particularly interesting, all the comments accuse Variety of being paid by Patrick)  A Guardian Article about Online Sleuthing and Patrick Clancy  (Written by Christopher Mathias - This article points out that postpartum psychosis awareness is getting pushed aside for true crime mania) Lindsay Clancy Case - Mistrial Declared (CBC News - also explains Reddington's emergency appeal)  A really good explanation of the Jury Debacle from Reb for the Rebrand - a lawyer and legal commentator on tik tok  (She fully explains what happened, what it means legally, why everyone knows it was 11-1 on not guilty, and why this is such a scandal)  NBC Boston - Report on the holdout jury member’s prior history  (This is the report I misattributed to ABC news)  The original video of the man saying the Lindsay Clancy debate has ruined women’s chances of being president has been muted by tik tok. It came from a creator called Lowel. You can see part of the beginning of it and a great response from the creator Professor Neil here Fox News Commentary that Lindsay is not a victim   (And honestly this was some of the nicer stuff, the internet was a cesspool of misogyny around this case and it’s not worth linking and drawing attention to)

  3. Sep 17

    Case Files: Bill Cosby

    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. SHOWNOTES: Anuja misspoke at 1:38:10. She says Debra Motsinger but she meant *Donna Motsinger. 11:35: For clarity: When Anuja says “70s and 80s”, she means that some of the alleged assaults took place as far back as then. 30:56: Matt Lauer’s interview with Tamara Green was in 2005 and he was fired for sexual misconduct in 2017 (not 30 years later, as Anuja said – that was the time gap Matt Lauer grilled Tamara Green on during the interview). 44.07: Fear of being *disbelieved 1:00:44: End of the trials in *2018 1:24:40: Tamara Green did not testify in the Bill Cosby trials. The accusers that testified were: Kelley Johnson (first trial), Heidi Thomas, Chelan Lasha, Janice Baker-Kinney, Janice Dickinson, and Lisa Lotte-Lublin (second trial). 1:34:03: We cannot say that it is *reasonable…1:37:46: “She” refers to Nicole Weisensee Egan in The Daily Beast article quoted below Nicole Weisensee Egan’s book (covers 2005-2019): Chasing Cosby: The Downfall of America's Dad by Nicole Weisensee Egan  Nicole Weisensee Egan, Chasing Crosby: The Downfall of America’s Dad (Berkeley, California: Seal Press, 2019) Legal documents:  Press Release closing the 2005 investigation (later claimed to be an immunity agreement  Press release from Montgomery County, Pennsylvania signed by Bruce Castor, then District Attorney. Published on February 17, 2005. 2015 Police Complaint, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania v. Bill Cosby Shared by the New York Times. Complaint dated December 29, 2015. Excerpts from Bill Cosby’s Deposition in his Civil Case with Andrea Constand, settled in 2005. New York Times Excerpts The LA Times Excerpts Andrea Constand’s Victim Impact Statement Submitted to the Court for Bill Cosby’s sentencing. Shared by the New York Times on September 25, 2018. Appeal Judgment from Supreme Court of Pennsylvania overturning Bill Cosby’s conviction Argued December 1, 2020 and decided on June 30, 2021. For full show notes visit: https://thedefendants.substack.com/p/bill-cosby Get in Touch!If you have questions or ideas about the show we’d love to hear them! Email us at defendantspodoutreach@protonmail.com You can also find us on instagram: we’re @thedefendantspodcast and Jane is @jane_aster_roe If you want Jane to appear on your show, email Dalton Higgins at daltonhiggins@gmail.com. Our TeamJane Aster Roe - Executive Producer, Host Anuja Jaiswal - Host Rachel Arundel - Executive Producer, Video Editor Katie Jensen - Executive Producer, Editor, Sound Designer

  4. Sep 7 ·  Bonus

    Elisha Bonnis - Forging Your Own Justice Path

    Elisha Bonnis - Forging Your Own Justice Path  Resources for SurvivorsSA 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. The Episode Elisha tells Jane about finding a way to use the civil litigation system to hold her assailant accountable after the criminal system failed her.  Listen to Episode 6 - I Went Through the Justice System and All I Got was a Branded Stress Ball: thedefendants.substack.com/episode-6-i-went-through-the-justice to hear more about the imperfect paths survivors can choose in the aftermath of justice, and how the civil system is one of them. Elisha made the unusual choice of choosing the civil litigation system even though there wouldn't be a monetary reward at the end. She did this to demonstrate the flaws in the system and to force accountability. Her case went to trial and is now going to the appeals court in British Colombia. It is scheduled for March 18, 2027. More Reading on Elisha: Article on her first trial being canceled Her story on GoFundMe Support This ProjectYOU are how this project will grow. By listening you are helping new ideas and conversations take shape - both on the podcast, amongst your friends and beyond. Thank you for being here. If our conversation with Marlee resonated with you, or if you learnt something new, here are a few of the ways you can support us: Subscribe on Spotify, Apple or wherever you get your podcastsLeave a 5 star review - it helps more people discover the showBecome a paid Substack subscriber. Access bonus episodes, subscriber only content and feel extra good knowing that your paid support helps us to continue the conversations we're having.Make a one-time donation. Visit: https://buymeacoffee.com/thedefendantsShare with a friend and help grow the conversationGet in TouchWe’d love to hear from you.Do you have a question or an idea for the show?A story you’d like to share?Is there a person, organisation or business you think we should connect with? Email: defendantspodoutreach@protonmail.comInstagram: @thedefendantspodcast | @jane_aster_roeMedia Appearances: daltonhiggins@gmail.com

  5. Aug 13

    Case Files: Hockey Canada Scandal

    The Defendants: Case Files is the next iteration of The Defendants. Our first six episodes explored how the justice system is set up, and why it doesn't work for cases involving sexual violence. We are working on our next six, which will further explore how we can change this system for the better. In the interim, we want to keep the conversation going, and we're doing that with Defendants: Case Files. Once a month, myself and human rights expert Anuja Jaiswal are going to look into a specific case that caught our attention and ignited conversation. We're going to discuss what happened, why it played out that way, and what we think that can tell us about not just the justice system, but about us, and how our reactions contribute to the problem. Court Documents The verdict Motion for second mistrial Motion on past recorded evidence Motion on hearsay evidence The Criminal Code on Sexual Assault and Consent Background The NHL’s Response: https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/sources-nhl-suspends-players-acquitted-in-2018-sexual-assault-trial-until-dec-1/ Background on the Event: https://www.theglobeandmail.com/topics/hockey-canada/ https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/39436540/hockey-canada-sexual-assault-case-scandal-news-updates. This article includes the quote: By mid-month, Renney and Smith were brought before members of Parliament during a Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage meeting to discuss Hockey Canada's response to the incident in question. Both testified that 19 players were "encouraged" but not required to speak with the governing body's third-party investigators. They also added that the identities of those eight players in the court filing remained unknown to them. St-Onge announced from there a freeze on Hockey Canada's federal funding until the findings of a third-party investigation were completed. Several high-profile sponsors -- including Scotiabank, Canadian Tire, Tim Hortons and Esso -- began distancing themselves from Hockey Canada. At the same time, multiple players from the 2018 world junior team began releasing statements denying they were involved in the alleged assault. It was written by Elliotte Friedman for ESPN. Coverage of the Trial and Hockey Canada: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6429400/2025/07/24/hockey-canada-trial-players-not-guilty/ https://www.tsn.ca/other-sports/article/hockey-canada-resists-joining-abuse-registry-as-other-sports-publish-bans/ We Breed Lions Book by Rick Westhead: https://policyoptions.irpp.org/2025/09/hockey-canada-sexual-assault/ CBC Live Play By Play - Goes back day by day through the Trial: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/london/livestory/recap-after-8-weeks-hockey-canada-sex-assault-trial-ends-and-fates-of-accused-ex-players-rest-with-judge-9.6796534 https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6421810/2025/06/12/crown-attacks-defenses-tactics-legal-arguments-in-hockey-canada-trial/ https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6372500/2025/05/21/hockey-canada-sexual-assault-trial-3/ https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6370479/2025/05/20/hockey-canada-sexual-assault-trial-testimony-3/ https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6339844/2025/05/07/hockey-canada-sexual-assault-trial-em-cross-examination-2/ https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6352897/2025/05/13/hockey-canada-sexual-assault-trial-em-cross-examination-4/ https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6384889/2025/05/27/hockey-canada-sexual-assault-trial-4/ https://www.tsn.ca/hockey-canada/rick-westhead-judge-discharges-jury-at-london-hockey-trial-1.2306954 Additional quoted article sources can be found on our Substack here. Support This Project YOU are how this project will grow. By listening you are helping new ideas and conversations take shape - both on the podcast, amongst your friends and beyond. Thank you for being here. Subscribe on Spotify, Apple or wherever you get your podcasts Leave a 5 star review - it helps more people discover the show Become a paid Substack subscriber. Access bonus episodes, subscriber only content and feel extra good knowing that your paid support helps us to continue the conversations we're having. Make a one-time donation. Visit: [https://buymeacoffee.com/thedefendants\](https://buymeacoffee.com/thedefendants) Share with a friend and help grow the conversation Get in Touch We’d love to hear from you. Do you have a question or an idea for the show? A story you’d like to share? Is there a person, organisation or business you think we should connect with? Email: defendantspodoutreach@protonmail.com 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, Creative Director Katie Jensen - Executive Producer, Editor, Sound Designer Dawson Fleming - Production Assistant Thank you for listening. Be kind to yourself and to one another.

    Case Files: Hockey Canada Scandal

  6. Aug 11

    Case Files: Harvey Weinstein

    The Defendants: Case Files is the next iteration of The Defendants. Our first six episodes explored how the justice system is set up, and why it doesn't work for cases involving sexual violence. We are working on our next six, which will further explore how we can change this system for the better. In the interim, we want to keep the conversation going, and we're doing that with Defendants: Case Files. Once a month, myself and human rights expert Anuja Jaiswal are going to look into a specific case that caught our attention and ignited conversation. We're going to discuss what happened, why it played out that way, and what we think that can tell us about not just the justice system, but about us, and how our reactions contribute to the problem. Today, we're bringing you an episode about probably the most famous case in recent history - Harvey Weinstein. The allegations against Harvey Weinstein printed in both the New York Times and the New Yorker are broadly attributed to kicking off the MeToo movement. Recently his New York rape charge was dropped and his California charges were sent to resentencing. We wanted to talk about how this case, which was so talked about, came to our consciousness, and just barely squeaked through the legal system. Show Notes: At 9:04 Anuja says potential accuser and means potential accused At 12:09 Jane says "I will defame you" and means "I will sue you" Show notes may also be found on our Substack. Court Documents Criminal Charges: The New York Charges:New York News - Harvey Weinstein Surrenders to NYPD Initial 2020 Conviction:Harvey Weinstein is Found Guilty of Rape in #MeToo Watershed Jan Ransom's Article that details why some Charges didn't stick A Breakdown of the New York Testimony:The Six Women Who Accused Harvey Weinstein At His Trial and What they Said The Conviction is Overturned with Breakdown on Why From CBC News The Article with the Sentence Jane Disliked -"After the mixed verdict last year Ms. Mann said, 'I am ready, willing and able to endure this as many times as it takes for justice and accountability to be served.' But throughout this week, she has taken several brakes and has at times cried on the stand." Takeaways from Week 2 In Testimony at the Harvey Weinstein Trial Harvey Weinstein's Recent Rape Charge Dropped After Jury Deadlocks a Second Time *To clarify Anuja and Jane's wording in the episode around how many times Jessica Mann had to testify: She testified in front of a grand jury (which is essentially when you have to convince a jury that a crime happened and therefore it's worth prosecuting) and did three separate trials. The first trial, the conviction was overturned, and the second two, the jury deadlocked, meaning they couldn't come to a verdict. The California Charges and Victims:Harvey Weinstein's Los Angeles Trial Begins California Court Upholds Conviction but Orders New Sentencing On The Cross Examination Issue:From The New York Courts - Cross Examination Rules state that as long as the questions fit any other rules that are set for cross, you can be examined on any witness evidence that is admitted into trial. The Molineux Rule - This is the rule that got his conviction overturned (you can't use evidence of prior crimes that the defendant isn't currently being charged with. The thought process is that by including the accounts of the three women whose testimony did not lead to charges as evidence, you are assuming that he's guilty of those acts, that haven't been proven and that biases the jury.) Background The News Investigations: Harvey Weinstein Paid off Sexual Harassment Accusers for Decades (Jodi Kantor and Megan Twohey's story in the New York Times dated Oct. 5, 2017) From Agressive Overtures to Sexual Assault: Harvey Weinstein's Accusers tell their story (Ronan Farrow's story in the New Yorker dated Oct. 10, 2017) She Said: Breaking the Sexual Harassment Story that Helped Ignite A Movement (Jodi Kantor and Megan Twohey's book about reporting on Weinstein) Catch and Kill: Lies Spies and a Conspiracy to Protect Predators (Ronan Farrow's book about reporting on Weinstein) Catch and Kill - The Podcast by Ronan Farrow Catch and Kill - The Podcast Tapes (docuseries) Note: Most of the information around the reporting by Jodi, Megan, and Ronan is from these core sources. The stories you hear about victims of Harvey Weinstein like Zelda Perkins and Rowena Chiu are reported by both sets of journalists across their respective works. As stated, most of the quotes in this episode come from She Said. The quote from The New Yorker Lawyer responding to Weinstein's lawyer's allegations of Ronan Farrow's Bias comes from The Catch and Kill Podcast, Episode 7: Editors. Additional Sources: Ashley Judd's 2015 Studio Mogul article A Business Insider Article Chronicling Ronan Farrow's allegations against NBC An Account from Ronan's NBC producer about being shut down Support This Project Thanks for listening and being a part of this conversation. This is a completely grassroots, independent project and our ability to continue depends on your support. Subscribe to our Substack for additional content and please consider making a one time donation here. Any amount will help us continue. It also helps to subscribe to this show and share it with a friend! Help grow the conversation. Get in Touch! If you have questions or ideas about the show we'd love to hear them! Email us at defendantspodoutreach@protonmail.com You can also find us on instagram: we're @thedefendantspodcast and Jane is @jane_aster_roe If you want Jane to appear on your show, email Dalton Higgins at daltonhiggins@gmail.com. Resources: 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.

  7. Aug 3 ·  Bonus

    Marlee Liss - Storytelling, Somatic Healing and Re-Imagining Justice for Violence (FREE PREVIEW)

    When the body feels like a “crime scene”, how do you heal? Listen as Jane and Marlee Liss discuss healing after sexual violence, reconnecting with your body, why the court system so often fails survivors, and how restorative justice and a rethink of masculinity could offer a better path forward. Marlee Liss is an award-winning speaker, leading survivor advocate, author and somatic educator. Her personal survivor case set precedent in the North American legal system, and in 2024 she founded Survivors 4 Justice Reform, a global, volunteer-run, survivor-led coalition that works to advance policy change that challenges the failures and violence of punitive, carceral systems. Marlee shares how writing became central to her healing, from late-night scribbling to get the feelings out of her body, to a way of connecting with others. Her forthcoming book, If I Had Known Then (February 9th 2027), follows her experience of healing and fighting for justice after trauma. This was a conversation we were looking forward to for months, and it’s one you won’t want to miss.  This is a 20-minute preview The full 40-minute episode goes deeper into accountability, breaking cycles of violence, and rethinking masculinity. To hear it, become a paid subscriber on Apple Podcasts or on Substack. As always, take care as you listen. This episode explores sexual violence, the criminal legal system, and alternative justice pathways, we have resources available in the show notes below. Key Topics 00:22 - Expanding the conversation01:04 - Writing after trauma03:01 - Storytelling and empathy04:23 - Dance: Detachment & reconnection07:06 - Somatic healing: Our bodies have wisdom11:46 - How the criminal legal system fails survivors16:23 - We don't have to be complacent18:37 - Justice doesn’t look the same for all survivors19:30 - Survivors 4 Justice Reform Links and Mentions Marlee's memoir, If I Had Known Then, releases February 2027 with Penguin Random House. Follow @marleeliss for more. Visit Marlee's website to download her free justice resource Find out more about Survivors 4 Justice Reform Instagram: @survivors4justicereform Join the coalition: www.survivors4justicereform.com/join Further Listening Check out The Defendants Episode 3 - The Perfect Victim: thedefendants.substack.com/episode-3-the-perfect-victim Or, Episode 6 - I Went Through the Justice System and All I Got was a Branded Stress Ball: thedefendants.substack.com/episode-6-i-went-through-the-justice Support This Project YOU are how this project will grow. By listening you are helping new ideas and conversations take shape - both on the podcast, amongst your friends and beyond. Thank you for being here. If our conversation with Marlee resonated with you, or if you learnt something new, here are a few of the ways you can support us: Subscribe on Spotify, Apple or wherever you get your podcasts Leave a 5 star review - it helps more people discover the show Become a paid Substack subscriber. Access bonus episodes, subscriber only content and feel extra good knowing that your paid support helps us to continue the conversations we're having. Make a one-time donation. Visit: https://buymeacoffee.com/thedefendants Share with a friend and help grow the conversation Get in Touch We’d love to hear from you. Do you have a question or an idea for the show? A story you’d like to share? Is there a person, organisation or business you think we should connect with? Email: defendantspodoutreach@protonmail.com 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, Creative Director Katie Jensen - Executive Producer, Editor, Sound Designer Dawson Fleming - Production Assistant Thank you for listening. Be kind to yourself and to one another.

    Marlee Liss - Storytelling, Somatic Healing and Re-Imagining Justice for Violence (FREE PREVIEW)

  8. Aug 3 ·  Bonus · Subscribers Only

    Marlee Liss - Storytelling, Somatic Healing and Re-Imagining Justice for Violence (SUBSCRIBER ONLY)

    When the body feels like a “crime scene”, how do you heal? Listen as Jane and Marlee Liss discuss healing after sexual violence, reconnecting with your body, why the court system so often fails survivors, and how restorative justice and a rethink of masculinity could offer a better path forward. Marlee Liss is an award-winning speaker, leading survivor advocate, author and somatic educator. Her personal survivor case set precedent in the North American legal system, and in 2024 she founded Survivors 4 Justice Reform, a global, volunteer-run, survivor-led coalition that works to advance policy change that challenges the failures and violence of punitive, carceral systems. Marlee shares how writing became central to her healing, from late-night scribbling to get the feelings out of her body, to a way of connecting with others. Her forthcoming book, If I Had Known Then (February 9th 2027), follows her experience of healing and fighting for justice after trauma. This was a conversation we were looking forward to for months, and it’s one you won’t want to miss. Key Topics 00:22 - Expanding the conversation 01:04 - Writing after trauma 03:01 - Storytelling and empathy 04:23 - Dance: Detachment & reconnection 07:06 - Somatic healing: Our bodies have wisdom 11:46 - How the criminal legal system fails survivors 16:23 - We don't have to be complacent 18:37 - Justice doesn’t look the same for all survivors 19:30 - Survivors 4 Justice Reform 22:43 - Accountability 25:26 - The “monster in the bushes” myth 29:09 - Breaking cycles of violence 31:34 - Rethinking masculinity 34:54 - What Marlee wishes more people knew 36:00 - Advocacy & consent culture 39:22 - Where to find Marlee

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Trailers

About

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.

Information

  • Creator
    Aster Roe Productions
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    17
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026
  • Show Website
    The Defendants
  • Provider
    Aster Roe Productions Inc.

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