Not Guilty

We’re looking at what it takes to get a verdict of guilty or not guilty and what it means.

Key Topics

1:00 - The numbers: 2 guilty verdicts out of 1,000 assaults
1:25 - Guilty vs not guilty: what the terms mean
1:42 - Beyond all reasonable doubt
4:03 - Narratives that can be created around facts
6:04 - What is considered evidence?
7:32 - Why do prosecutors drop cases?
9:04 - The odds of winning sexual assault cases
10:48 - Jury bias, victim performance, trauma from trial
13:27 - Speedy trial law and stayed charges
16:35 - When the legal outcome doesn't match evidence of harm

All sources, statistics, multimedia clips, and music credits are available on Substack.

About 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.

Support This Project

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. 

• Subscribe to our Substack for additional content and ongoing conversations. We also have a mail club! Get monthly artwork and letters to continue the conversation… offline, where the best communities are built.
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Get in Touch

• Questions or ideas about the show? defendantspodoutreach@protonmail.com
• Follow on 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
Katie Jensen - Executive Producer, Editor, Sound Designer
Jessica Strachan - Story Producer
Charlotte Gregg - Research Producer
Isis Madrid - Editor, Sound Designer
Rachel Bromberg - Fact Checker
Dawson Fleming - Production Assistant
Michelle Crossman - Mental Health Consultant
Lindsey Keene - Outreach Coordinator
Cheryl Grossman - Legal
Dalton Higgins - Publicity
Kathlyn Gardner - Events

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