Breaking Silence - Series Three

Episode One - Family Court
This episode argues that New Zealand's court system has certain policies and procedures that can put family violence victims at huge risk. Interviews with Professor Carrie Leonetti and Maggie Andrade (of The Backbone Collective) explore how sharing custody of a child with an abuser can legally give the abuser access to their victims. A mother also shares her own heart-wrenching experience of sharing joint custody with a violent ex-partner.  

Episode Two - Trinity
Simonne Butler meets Māngere mother and grandmother Margaret Oliver, who recounts the cyberbullying and online grooming that led up to the 2020 murder of her 16-year-old daughter, Trinity. Oliver believes her daughter's experience of having to leave three high schools because of bullying isolated her and left her vulnerable to the advances of the older man who took her life. Detective Senior Sergeant Mike Hayward urges teens to be vigilant online.

Episode Three - Debbs Murray
Debbs Murray has worked in the family violence victims support sector for over 20 years. But it took a long time before she began sharing her own experiences. In this episode, she discusses how bringing her personal story into her work provides useful insights when training others in supporting victims. She challenges the common question of why someone doesn’t "just leave" an abusive relationship, and provides her perspective how practitioners can best help victims take steps toward safety.

Episode Four - The Hague Convention
There are a number of Hague Conventions. This episode argues that the convention designed for child abduction cases often fails to consider the complexities of domestic violence. Both Sammie and Lydia escaped abusive relationships in Australia, and returned to New Zealand with their children. However, their ordeals continued upon their return, as their partners issued return orders under the Convention. Lawyer Daniel Wellington discusses the challenges these cases present.

Episode Five - Simonne Butler (part one)
Series host Simonne Butler shares her own personal story of horrific domestic abuse, exploring both her emotional and medical journey. Reflecting on the early stages of a relationship, she explains how her low self-esteem made her susceptible to a deeply dangerous man. Doctor Ang Jury, the Chief Executive of Women's Refuge, gives further insight into the challenges of leaving such situations.   

Episode Six - Detective Jaimie Leigh
Through her training as a police officer, Detective Jamie Leigh began to experience an upsurge of repressed emotions from her childhood. A history of sexual harm and anger issues had created generational trauma in her family. Working with a police psychologist, she began a journey of healing and forgiveness. Leigh reflects on how her experiences help her approach family harm and sexual assault cases with empathy. Host Simonne Butler emphasises how vital such compassion can be. 

Episode Seven - Paralympian Fiona Southorn
Growing up with a limb difference, Fiona Southorn was forced to navigate society's perceptions from a young age. In this episode, she discusses finding a sense of purpose after leaving an abusive relationship, becoming a Paralympic cyclist and working towards her future. But life took a devastating turn when her new partner defrauded her and abandoned her. Undeterred, Fiona launched a new Olympic campaign, going on to claim gold.

Episode Eight - Simonne Butler (part two)
In this episode, host Simonne Butler opens up about the "long and painful" healing journey she embarked upon after surviving a horrific sword attack. Butler outlines how she slowly regained use of her hands and finger muscles, with the help of physiotherapist Edel Kelly. However healing emotionally and mentally proves to be a far rockier ride. Butler educated herself in natural remedies, and celebrates the power of water therapy in reclaiming her self and identity.