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 trial 1:57 - The damsel in distress archetype 3:17 - Nils Christie's ideal victim theory 4:51 - Phil's story: when male survivors are dismissed 8:00 - Ann's case: when victims don't fit the mold 9:34 - Race and credibility 11:03 - Vanessa's story: when assumptions are made 12:25 - Lem's experience: becoming your own advocate 13:06 - Mental illness and credibility 18:40 - Why the "perfect victim" stereotype is a trap 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. 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.