Dear Jane

Dear Jane - out now

Dear Jane is a five-part series for The Spinoff, exploring the impact of a sexual relationship between a young teenage girl and her adult youth group leader.Dear Jane was made with the support of NZ On Air Resources:If this series brings up any issues for you there is help available 24-7:Helpline - free call or text 1737Youthline - phone 0800 376 633, free text 234 or email talk@youthline.co.nz Suicide Crisis Helpline - phone 0508 828 865 (0508 TAUTOKO) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

1: Jane

Meet Jane, a mum in her forties who is battling with the demons of her past. For decades she’s buried what happened to her when she was a teenager but in recent years has come to realise she is not to blame for the connection she had with Dan, her adult youth group leader during her teen years. We also meet Noelle, a writer and producer who is helping Jane to make a podcast about her experience. Through a first person account and letters from the time that set a typical scene of teen life in the nineties, we find out how this disturbing connection came about and how it progressed from inappropriate feelings to a full blown relationship in plain sight.Dear Jane was made with the support of NZ On Air Resources:If this series brings up any issues for you there is help available 24-7:Helpline - free call or text 1737Youthline - phone 0800 376 633, free text 234 or email talk@youthline.co.nz Suicide Crisis Helpline - phone 0508 828 865 (0508 TAUTOKO) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

2: Ange

For thirty years Jane’s best childhood friend, Ange, has been waiting for her call. While Jane and Dan’s relationship was kept secret from most, Ange was privy to every detail from the very start. She remembers Dan as a controlling youth group leader who took advantage of her vulnerable best friend, and in the years since, Ange has felt guilt and anger about what happened between Jane and Dan. Dear Jane was made with the support of NZ On Air Episode 3 will be out on Thursday 14 September, follow now to get it as soon a it dropsResources:If this series brings up any issues for you there is help available 24-7:Helpline - free call or text 1737Youthline - phone 0800 376 633, free text 234 or email talk@youthline.co.nz Suicide Crisis Helpline - phone 0508 828 865 (0508 TAUTOKO) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

3: Mum and Lisa

Jane’s mum and sister knew that Dan and Jane dated in the 90s, but they only learnt the relationship was sexual in recent years. In this episode we talk to Jane’s family about what they remember of Dan and Jane’s connection and the shock they felt when they found out the full extent of the relationship. We start to see how the effects of this kind of sexual abuse can hurt a whole family. We also hear more about the moment when an already inappropriate relationship crossed a serious line. Dear Jane was made with the support of NZ On Air Episode 4 will be out on Monday 18th September, follow now to get it as soon a it drops.Resources:If this series brings up any issues for you there is help available 24-7:Helpline - free call or text 1737Youthline - phone 0800 376 633, free text 234 or email talk@youthline.co.nz  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

4: Christchurch

Noelle and Jane take a trip to Christchurch to meet with Catherine, a clinical psychologist who has experience working with survivors of sexual abuse. On arrival, Jane is suddenly struck ill and Noelle is worried about the toll this project might be taking on her. After talking to Catherine, Noelle begins to realise she might be out of her depth, and questions whether or not to go ahead with contacting Dan. Dear Jane was made with the support of NZ On Air The final episode of Dear Jane will be released this Thursday 21st September. Follow now so you get it as soon as it drops.Resources:If this series brings up any issues for you there is help available 24-7:Helpline - free call or text 1737Youthline - phone 0800 376 633, free text 234 or email talk@youthline.co.nz Suicide Crisis Helpline - phone 0508 828 865 (0508 TAUTOKO) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices