Netflix has turned to journalism for its newest adaptation, broaching subjects such as rape, false accusations and repeated trauma.
The eight-episode series is An Unbelievable Story of Rape, the Pulitzer Prize-winning article by T. Christian Miller of ProPublica and Ken Armstrong of The Marshall Project, and the subject of the This American Life radio episode, “Anatomy of Doubt”.
Soon after it was published, the article went viral, putting the spotlight firmly on the traumatic experiences of victims when reporting sexual violence, as well as the entrenched institutional biases hindering their investigations.
Clearly, the written piece is a powerful read. But anyone following the case should also listen to the emotional 2016 This American Life podcast episode about Marie's story titled "Anatomy of Doubt."
Reported by Armstrong and Robyn Semien, the This American Life episode was made in partnership with ProPublica and The Marshall Project, the organisations that produced the article.
We hear from Marie herself, in addition to her former foster mothers and the detectives on her case.
The audio medium captures her vulnerability and anger as well as the guilt and frustration from everyone in the investigation.
The podcast breaks down the investigation into three parts:
- The first act focuses on Marie's investigation.
- The second act brings us to Detectives Stacy Galbraith and Edna Hendershot.
- The third act follows Marie's story as a survivor.
Marie later received an apology from the Lynnwood police, following the harrowing ordeal which saw her questioned every step of the way.
She later sued the city and the organisations that managed her housing.
To read the story or watch the recently released Netflix documentary is emotionally taxing enough, but to hear the story from the victim's mouth is haunting.
You can find the podcasts in full here.
Main image by @kaitlyndever
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