Ep #355 Inside the Landmark Cases of Sally Challen and John Worboys with Harriet Wistrich
In this episode, Laura interviews pioneering human rights lawyer and CEO of the Centre for Women's Justice, Harriet Wistrich, whose groundbreaking work has helped transform the way the justice system responds to male violence against women and girls.
Together, Laura and Harriet analyse landmark cases including John Worboys and Sally Challen, the campaign to criminalise coercive control, and the legal mechanisms used to keep dangerous offenders behind bars.
Harriet also shares the realities of fighting for systemic change through strategic litigation, the legacy of the botched investigation into serial killer Peter Sutcliffe, the role feminism has played in exposing institutional misogyny, and why behavioural patterns-not isolated incidents -must remain central to understanding male violence against women.
This is a fascinating conversation about justice, accountability, law reform, and the power of persistence in changing systems that have historically failed women.
For a deeper dive in to the John Worboys case and Harriet’s successful legal challenge, listen to the Ringleader and Lifer live interview in the Crime Analyst Squad. The legal judgments and documents referenced during that discussion are also available exclusively in the episode post.
Listen to The Forgotten Victims. Laura’s investigative series about serial killer Peter Sutcliffe and the botched investigation: https://www.crime-analyst.com/case-001-the-forgotten-victims/
Listen to the Joanna Simpson Case : This series examines the brutal killing of Joanna Simpson by her estranged husband Robert Brown, the shocking manslaughter verdict and planned automatic release, and the campaign led by her family, friends and Crime Analyst listeners that helped keep him behind bars.
Listen and learn about Sally Challen and the extraordinary story behind the landmark case that changed the legal landscape for victims of coercive control.
36: The Crime Analyst | Ep 36 | Deconstructing Coercive Control with Jess Hill, Part 1
Ep 261: The Unthinkable: A Story of Control, Violence and My Mother with David Challen
Ep 323 Coercive Control: A Child's Unthinkable Journey with David Challen
Ep 325: Coercive Control: A Child’s Unthinkable Journey with David Challen, Part 2
In This Episode
Harriet Wistrich's journey into law and women's rights advocacy
How feminism shaped her career and influenced legal reform
The legacy of Peter Sutcliffe and institutional misogyny
Understanding coercive control and why behavioural patterns matter
The campaign to criminalise coercive control
Sally Challen precedential case
The two successful legal challenges to stop the release of serial sex offender John Worboys and hold the police accountable
Strategic litigation and holding institutions accountable for failures
The future of protecting women and girls through legal reform
#HarrietWistrich #CoerciveControl #SallyChallen #JohnWorboys #PeterSutcliffe
#DomesticAbuse #MaleViolence #CrimeAnalyst #Expert #Analysis #Behaviour #TrueCrime #Podcast #Crime
More from Harriet Wistrich
Harriet's acclaimed book, Sister in Law: Fighting for Justice in a System Designed by Men
Clip
https://youtu.be/ygyObQ7249c?si=fMZGcRHcpdtA1wQ3
Sources
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