Podcast Speaking Secrets Explores the #MeToo Movement in NZ
Wednesday 27 June 2018
NZME Podcast Speaking Secrets Explores the #MeToo Movement in New Zealand
27 June 2018 – The New Zealand Herald and Newstalk ZB have released the first episodes of a powerful 6-part podcast series that explores Kiwi stories focused around the #MeToo movement; Speaking Secrets. The series looks at six Kiwi stories of courage, conviction and the power of speaking secrets.
The series brings discussions of this movement to the forefront from multiple perspectives. The series starts with Beth Paterson, a law student who took a stand against one of the biggest law firms in New Zealand which led to an external review of the firm and a national outcry against sexual harassment in the workplace.
Also sharing their stories are Hester Tingey, Marama Davidson, Hayley Young, Louise Nicholas and a man who was allegedly abused by priests while he was in school. They all bring a different perspective to what it means to experience sexual abuse in New Zealand.
Speaking Secrets has been created over two months by Georgina Campbell, a Wellington based Newstalk ZB journalist. She hopes this podcast will encourage people to continue the conversation beyond the news stories and discuss the issues surrounding speaking out.
“I want New Zealand's experience of the #MeToo movement to be about more than flittering from one sexual abuse scandal to the next. Speaking Secrets is issues based and profiles both people who haven’t spoken out in the media before and those who have, but all their stories are told through the fresh lens of what it was like for them speaking out.
These brave and incredibly strong people have helped pave the way for the #MeToo movement here and we can learn from their experiences as more people come forward."
While Campbell found it an incredibly emotional experience, she found human connection with the interviewees empowering.
“Just because they have spoken out before doesn't mean it's any easier for them to tell their stories. It was painful for them to go back to the time they were abused but they also really wanted to share their stories for the greater good. Often the interviews started with a handshake and ended with a hug because anything else would have felt strange after being in such a dark place together."
Campbell says the medium itself was critical because it helps to convey the depth of emotion felt by these survivors. “The series is about speaking out and I wanted New Zealanders to hear survivors' stories in their own words. In a printed quote you don't hear the pauses, the tears or a voice break. It's only in hearing those nuances that you begin to grasp the pain of sexual abuse.”
The podcast is available here, on iHeartRadio and on iTunes. Please note Speaking Secrets is about sexual abuse and contains material that some listeners may find distressing.
Episode
List
Episode 1 – Beth Paterson - A student on
the cusp of her legal career decides to take a stand against
one of New Zealand's top law firms.
Episode 2 – Hester
Tingey - Teenagers filmed up her skirt while she was working
as a teacher aide but that won't stop her joining her dream
profession.
Episode 3 – Marama Davidson - The Greens
co-leader gives her first full interview about the abuse she
endured as a girl.
Episode 4 – Hayley Young - The
former Naval officer describes why telling the Navy about
her alleged rape was worse than the incident
itself.
Episode 5 – Boyhood amidst the church - A man
speaks publicly for the first time about his allegations
Marist Brothers sexually abused him at school.
Episode 6
– Louise Nicholas - What it's like to be stopped in the
street by fellow survivors after one of the most public rape
trials in New Zealand's history.
If you've ever
experienced sexual assault or abuse and need to talk to
someone call:
• Rape Crisis NZ: 0800 883300 or for a
local branch detail, visit http://www.rapecrisisnz.org.nz/
• You
can also call the confidential crisis helpline on: 0800 227
233 (08002B SAFE).
• If it's an emergency and you feel
that you or someone else is at risk, call 111.
• Male
Survivors of Sexual Abuse has resources specifically for men
here https://malesurvivor.nz/contact/
• Women's
Refuge operates a free national crisis line 24/7 on 0800
REFUGE or 0800 733 843 or
visitwww.womensrefuge.org.nz
• Shine runs a free
national helpline 9am-11pm every day on 0508 744 633
www.2shine.org.nz
• White Ribbon aims to eliminate
men's violence towards women, focusing this year on sexual
violence and the issue of consent. You can visit
www.whiteribbon.org.nz
• Safe to Talk are a free 24/7
support service with trained counsellors. Call 0800044334,
text 4334, or visit www.safetotalk.co.nz
Credits:
Producer and host: Georgina Campbell
Audio editor:
James Irwin
Sound and video production: Mark
Mitchell
Executive producer: Frances Cook
Editor:
Andrew Laxon
About NZME
NZME is a leading New Zealand
media and entertainment business that reaches more than 3.2
million kiwis[1]. Whether reading, listening or watching,
our audience gets the content they want - where and when
they want it. NZME offers advertisers a unique opportunity
to access its growing audience via a fully integrated
multi-platform presence. NZME is listed on the NZX Main
Board (code NZM) with a foreign exempt listing on the ASX
(code NZM).
www.nzme.co.nz
[1] Nielsen CMI, March
2018 fused database: Q1 17 – Q4 17 (population 10 years
+). Based on unduplicated weekly reach of NZME newspapers,
radio stations, and monthly domestic unique audience of
NZME’s digital channels.
ENDS