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