The Defendants

Jane Aster Roe
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  • Society & Culture

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.

Episodes

  1. The Perfect Victim

    6d ago

    The Perfect Victim

    We’re looking at what makes an ideal victim in the eyes of the law, and society, and who is more likely to be believed. Key Topics 0:11 - The week before Jane's case went to trial1:57 - The damsel in distress archetype3:17 - Nils Christie's ideal victim theory4:51 - Phil's story: when male survivors are dismissed8:00 - Ann's case: when victims don't fit the mold9:34 - Race and credibility11:03 - Vanessa's story: when assumptions are made12:25 - Lem's experience: becoming your own advocate13:06 - Mental illness and credibility18:40 - Why the "perfect victim" stereotype is a trap All sources, statistics, multimedia clips, and music credits are available on Substack. About The DefendantsThe 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 ProjectThanks 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.Make a one-time donation. Visit: https://buymeacoffee.com/thedefendantsSubscribe to this show on your preferred podcast platform Apple | SpotifyShare with a friend and help grow the conversationGet in TouchQuestions or ideas about the show? defendantspodoutreach@protonmail.comFollow on Instagram: @thedefendantspodcast | @jane_aster_roeMedia appearances: daltonhiggins@gmail.comResources 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. Our TeamJane Aster Roe - Executive Producer, HostRachel Arundel - Executive ProducerKatie Jensen - Executive Producer, Editor, Sound DesignerJessica Strachan - Story ProducerCharlotte Gregg - Research ProducerIsis Madrid - Editor, Sound DesignerRachel Bromberg - Fact CheckerDawson Fleming - Production AssistantMichelle Crossman - Mental Health ConsultantLindsey Keene - Outreach CoordinatorCheryl Grossman - LegalDalton Higgins - PublicityKathlyn Gardner - Events Thank you for listening. Be kind to yourself and to one another.

    21 min
  2. You Have The Right To An Attorney

    May 28

    You Have The Right To An Attorney

    We’re trying to understand how we can better insert victims rights into the legal process… without superseding the rights for accused individuals. Key Topics 0:10 - Accused rights and victim rights3:56 - Jane's police interview6:32 - Understanding legal terminology: complainant, defendant, accused7:51 - Who supports victims through the system10:57 - Shannon's story: the permanence and power of a statement12:07 - Cross-examination and victim preparation15:18 - Defence lawyer perspectives20:16 - Striking a balance between accused and complainants' rights All sources, statistics, multimedia clips, and music credits are available on Substack. About The DefendantsThe 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 ProjectThanks 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.Make a one-time donation. Visit: https://buymeacoffee.com/thedefendantsSubscribe to this show on your preferred podcast platform Apple | SpotifyShare with a friend and help grow the conversationGet in TouchQuestions or ideas about the show? defendantspodoutreach@protonmail.comFollow on Instagram: @thedefendantspodcast | @jane_aster_roeMedia appearances: daltonhiggins@gmail.comResources 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. Our TeamJane Aster Roe - Executive Producer, HostRachel Arundel - Executive ProducerKatie Jensen - Executive Producer, Editor, Sound DesignerJessica Strachan - Story ProducerCharlotte Gregg - Research ProducerIsis Madrid - Editor, Sound DesignerRachel Bromberg - Fact CheckerDawson Fleming - Production AssistantMichelle Crossman - Mental Health ConsultantLindsey Keene - Outreach CoordinatorCheryl Grossman - LegalDalton Higgins - PublicityKathlyn Gardner - Events Thank you for listening. Be kind to yourself and to one another.

    24 min
  3. First Encounters

    May 20

    First Encounters

    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.  Key Topics 0:16 - Jane's personal disclosure story2:13 - Headlines of the #MeToo Era3:20 - Sexual assault statistics and underreporting5:32 - The justice system is not broken (because it has never worked)7:17 - Shannon's story: breaking five years of silence11:32 - Riley's experience: deciding not to go to the police after experiencing grooming12:20 - Georgia's experience: deciding not to go to the police after experiencing molestation12:58 - Cait's experience: eight years in the system13:45 - Victims' understanding of the legal system15:17 - Getting independent legal advice18:42 - What needs to change? All sources, statistics, multimedia clips, and music credits are available on Substack. About The DefendantsThe 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 ProjectThanks 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.Make a one-time donation. Visit: https://buymeacoffee.com/thedefendantsSubscribe to this show on your preferred podcast platform Apple | SpotifyShare with a friend and help grow the conversationGet in TouchQuestions or ideas about the show? defendantspodoutreach@protonmail.comFollow on Instagram: @thedefendantspodcast | @jane_aster_roeMedia appearances: daltonhiggins@gmail.comResources 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. Our TeamJane Aster Roe - Executive Producer, HostRachel Arundel - Executive ProducerKatie Jensen - Executive Producer, Editor, Sound DesignerJessica Strachan - Story ProducerCharlotte Gregg - Research ProducerIsis Madrid - Editor, Sound DesignerRachel Bromberg - Fact CheckerDawson Fleming - Production AssistantMichelle Crossman - Mental Health ConsultantLindsey Keene - Outreach CoordinatorCheryl Grossman - LegalDalton Higgins - PublicityKathlyn Gardner - Events Thank you for listening. Be kind to yourself and to one another.

    21 min

  4. Apr 20

    I Told a Friend

    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. About The DefendantsThe 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 ProjectThanks 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.Make a one-time donation. Visit: https://buymeacoffee.com/thedefendantsSubscribe to this show on your preferred podcast platform Apple | SpotifyShare with a friend and help grow the conversationGet in TouchQuestions or ideas about the show? defendantspodoutreach@protonmail.comFollow on Instagram: @thedefendantspodcast | @jane_aster_roeMedia appearances: daltonhiggins@gmail.comResources 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. Our TeamJane Aster Roe - Executive Producer, HostRachel Arundel - Executive ProducerKatie Jensen - Executive Producer, Editor, Sound DesignerJessica Strachan - Story ProducerCharlotte Gregg - Research ProducerIsis Madrid - Editor, Sound DesignerRachel Bromberg - Fact CheckerDawson Fleming - Production AssistantMichelle Crossman - Mental Health ConsultantLindsey Keene - Outreach CoordinatorCheryl Grossman - LegalDalton Higgins - PublicityKathlyn Gardner - Events Thank you for listening. Be kind to yourself and to one another.

    2 min

  5. Feb 28

    What 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. 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. - Make a one-time donation. Visit: https://buymeacoffee.com/thedefendants - Subscribe to this show on your preferred podcast platform Apple | Spotify - Share with a friend and help grow the conversation 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.

    2 min

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
    Jane Aster Roe
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    5
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026
  • Show Website
    The Defendants

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