Crime Junkie
Crime Junkie
"I'm very scared. I haven't been home in four days because of him sitting around my house." — Shakita Bennett
"If you are someone who has felt pushed out by a loved one in an abusive relationship, do not give up on them. ... Be there when they are. And find a way to tell them that your door is always open when they're ready because you never truly know what's going on behind theirs." — Ashley Flowers
"The end of a relationship is actually the most dangerous period for survivors trying to get out of abusive relationships. You know, as the abusers see and feel the control over their victims being threatened, the risk of homicide goes up." — Ashley Flowers
This episode of Crime Junkie focuses on the harrowing experiences of Shakita Bennett and Tara Costigan, two women who fell victim to severe domestic and intimate partner violence. Shakita Bennett endured years of stalking and threats from her ex-boyfriend, Dishon Johnson, leading her to file multiple protection orders. Despite her persistent efforts to seek legal recourse and her repeated reports to the police, the system repeatedly failed to adequately protect her. Her case highlights issues of delayed police response, the ease with which alleged abusers can be released on bail, and the lack of serious consideration given to her escalating fear for her life, ultimately culminating in her murder.
The narrative then shifts to Tara Costigan, a single mother in Australia who experienced escalating emotional and verbal abuse from her boyfriend, Marcus Repel. Tara's family recognized early warning signs, including Marcus's jealousy, paranoia, and potential substance abuse. Despite his lack of physical violence towards Tara, his controlling behavior and escalating threats, particularly after Tara became pregnant and attempted to end the relationship, created a dangerous environment. Tara's efforts to secure a domestic violence order were tragically interrupted by the birth of her child, leaving her vulnerable.
The episode underscores how abusers often escalate their behavior when they perceive a loss of control, with the period following a breakup being particularly dangerous. Both stories demonstrate significant failures within the systems meant to protect victims, from law enforcement's response to the court's sentencing. The hosts emphasize that domestic violence encompasses more than just physical harm, including isolation, emotional manipulation, and economic abuse, and that survivors are often trapped in a cycle where their pleas for help go unheard or are inadequately addressed, leading to devastating consequences.