True Crime Conversations

True Crime Conversations

True Crime Conversations explores the world's most notorious crimes by speaking to the people who know the most about them. Hosted by Gemma Bath.

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Episode's summary

Former police officer Christy McPhee shares her profound journey from a specialist child interviewer in rural Western Australia to a dedicated advocate for child safety and prevention. She reflects on the intense realities of policing, the psychological complexities of grooming, and the personal toll that witnessing child abuse cases took on her mental health, eventually leading to a diagnosis of PTSD. Moving from reactive policing to proactive education, McPhee provides practical strategies for parents to foster bodily autonomy and digital safety. The discussion covers identifying grooming tactics, teaching children to recognize physical warning signs, and implementing boundaries regarding social media use to create a safe environment where survivors feel empowered to come forward.

Chapters

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Highlights

the Australian Child Maltreatment Study says that one in four adult Australians has been sexually abused.

00:12:01 · Christy cites alarming statistics to demonstrate the widespread nature of sexual abuse within the community.

Over 90% of offenders are someone the child already knows.

00:17:38 · The speaker debunks the 'stranger danger' myth by highlighting that most abuse comes from trusted individuals within a child's circle.

My good friend Andrew Carpenter will tell you that it's less than 1%, under 0.01%.

00:21:25 · The speaker provides a staggering statistic regarding the extremely low conviction rate for child abuse cases.

my GP said to me, Christy, you've got PTSD.

00:37:27 · The speaker reveals that the trauma of her work eventually led to a formal diagnosis of PTSD.

We can't expect people to come forward if we're not willing to listen and we're not ready to hear it.

01:08:06 · The speaker highlights the necessity of creating a safe environment for survivors to share their experiences.

Episodes

444-

Kristi Locked Up Pedophiles For 10 Years. This Is What She Learnt.

Former police officer Christy McPhee shares her profound journey from a specialist child interviewer in rural Western Australia to a dedicated advocate for child safety and prevention. She reflects on the intense realities of policing, the psychological complexities of grooming, and the personal toll that witnessing child abuse cases took on her mental health, eventually leading to a diagnosis of PTSD. Moving from reactive policing to proactive education, McPhee provides practical strategies for parents to foster bodily autonomy and digital safety. The discussion covers identifying grooming tactics, teaching children to recognize physical warning signs, and implementing boundaries regarding social media use to create a safe environment where survivors feel empowered to come forward.

21 Oct 2026
443-

The Honeymoon Drowning That Turned A Groom Into A Murder Suspect [re-release]

This episode investigates the tragic death of Tina Watson during a honeymoon diving trip at Australia's Great Barrier Reef. Through an interview with author Lindsay Simpson, we explore the controlling relationship between Tina and Gabe Watson, detailing the suspicious circumstances surrounding their final dive at a shipwreck site. The discussion follows the aftermath of the incident, including the inconsistencies in Gabe's accounts that were challenged by experienced divers. We trace the legal journey from the 2007 inquest to Gabe's manslaughter plea deal and eventual extradition to Alabama, where the case ultimately ended in a dismissal.

19 Oct 2026
442-

Justine Sent 10,000 Letters To Convicted Female Killers In Prisons

Journalist Justine Vanderloon explores the case of Nicole Adamondo, a woman prosecuted for murder after killing her abusive partner in an act of self-defense. The episode details the extreme domestic violence and sexual exploitation Adamondo endured, alongside the prosecution's use of biased narratives to negate evidence of abuse during her trial. Vanderloon connects Adamondo's story to her large-scale research involving 10,000 incarcerated women, revealing widespread patterns of 'criminalized survival.' Through case studies like Tanisha Williams and Gemma Heffernan, she examines how systemic failures, generational trauma, and unhealed childhood abuse lead women into cycles of violence and severe legal consequences.

14 Oct 2026
441-

The Disappearance Of 12-year-old Rhianna Barreau [re-release]

This episode explores the 1992 disappearance of 12-year-old Rhianna Barrow in Adelaide, detailing her final movements and the baffling clues left behind, such as an active television and a locked door. Through an interview with reporter Rebecca Bryce, the podcast examines the challenges of investigating a crime in an era before digital footprints and mobile phones. The investigation is further detailed through discussions on outdated police tactics, unverified leads, and the profound impact on the community. The episode also touches upon how listener tips have provided clues that align with previous investigations and reflects on the changing landscape of investigative reporting in the modern age.

11 Oct 2026
440-

A Doctor Was Assaulted By Her Boss. She Knows She's Not The Only One

This episode recounts the landmark criminal case of Dr. Dominique Lee, who became the first doctor in Australian history to be imprisoned for assaulting another medical professional. The conversation explores Dr. Lee's journey from her childhood ambitions and move to New Zealand to navigating the rigid, often exclusionary hierarchies of the medical profession. Dr. Lee details the traumatic encounter with a senior consultant, the subsequent discovery that she had been drugged, and the grueling legal battle that followed. She reflects on the profound psychological impact of the assault, her struggle with self-trust and suicidal ideation, and her eventual path toward reclamation through motherhood, advocacy, and the decision to share her story publicly.

07 Oct 2026