In Her Defence: Breach of Trust

What happens when one of the “good guys” turns out to be a bad guy?

The highly-acclaimed true crime podcast series In Her Defence returns with In Her Defence: Breach of Trust. This seven-episode season explores the case of Sgt. Robert Semenchuck, a Regina police officer who preyed on hundreds of vulnerable women using information from police databases.

Some of those women risked it all to expose him, and hold him accountable. But would the system punish one of its own?

Hosted by award-winning crime reporter Jana G. Pruden, and based on more than 50 hours of exclusive interviews with dozens of women, police officers, lawyers and legal experts, In Her Defence: Breach of Trust reveals serious gaps in the way law enforcement agencies in Canada are policing themselves, and the serious harm women are suffering as a result.

Launching September 8, 2026.
Follow In Her Defence now, so you don’t miss an episode.

Afleveringen

Episode 7: Victim Impact

20 oktober 2026 · 36 min
Afspelen

The women finally get a chance to address Robert Semenchuck in court, and their victim impact statements lead the judge to consider whether the plea bargain is an appropriate sentence. After a two-week wait, the women grapple with the outcome of the case, including whether there are other ways to seek justice. Lees meer

Email the reporter, Jana G. Pruden, at jpruden@globeandmail.com

In Her Defence: Breach of Trust is a seven-part original podcast series from The Globe and Mail. The show is made by Kasia Mychajlowycz and Jana G. Pruden. Sound mixing is by Dave Crosbie, with additional recording by Amber Bracken. The show’s theme song is “Black Horses” by Birdbelly. Show art by Celeste Woods.

The narration for In Her Defence is recorded at Haq Story Studio in Edmonton.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Episode 6: Seduction and Deception

13 oktober 2026 · 33 min
Afspelen

Is it possible to truly consent to sex, if you don’t know the true identity of the person you’re having sex with? Some of the women who had sexual relationships with Robert Semenchuck struggle with a plea deal they think is too lenient, and wonder why he wasn’t charged with sexual assault. Legal experts explain consent under the law, and think about how the law could have been applied differently in this case – or in the future. Lees meer

Email the reporter, Jana G. Pruden, at jpruden@globeandmail.com

In Her Defence: Breach of Trust is a seven-part original podcast series from The Globe and Mail. The show is made by Kasia Mychajlowycz and Jana G. Pruden. Sound mixing is by Dave Crosbie, with additional recording by Amber Bracken. The show’s theme song is “Black Horses” by Birdbelly. Show art by Celeste Woods.

The narration for In Her Defence is recorded at Haq Story Studio in Edmonton.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Episode 5: Bad Apples

6 oktober 2026 · 38 min
Afspelen

Police sexual misconduct isn’t only a problem in Regina. Investigation shows dozens of officers around the country are accused of misusing their power – and databases – for sexual purposes, whether targeting vulnerable women and girls, random women on the street, or their own colleagues. The Crown and defence strike a plea deal in Robert Semenchuck’s case, and the women prepare to face him in person for the first time. Lees meer

Email the reporter, Jana G. Pruden, at jpruden@globeandmail.com

In Her Defence: Breach of Trust is a seven-part original podcast series from The Globe and Mail. The show is made by Kasia Mychajlowycz and Jana G. Pruden. Sound mixing is by Dave Crosbie, with additional recording by Amber Bracken. The show’s theme song is “Black Horses” by Birdbelly. Show art by Celeste Woods.

The narration for In Her Defence is recorded at Haq Story Studio in Edmonton.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Episode 4: Eyes on IEIS

29 september 2026 · 41 min
Afspelen

Jana learns more about Robert Semenchuck’s life and history as a police officer – and about the powerful database he was using to access personal information about his victims. Police professional standards investigators prepare to make an arrest. Lees meer

E-mail the reporter, Jana Pruden, at jpruden@globeandmail.com

In Her Defence: Breach of Trust is a seven-part original podcast series from The Globe and Mail. The show is made by Kasia Mychajlowycz and Jana G. Pruden. Sound mixing is by Dave Crosbie, with additional recording by Amber Bracken. The show’s theme song is “Black Horses” by BirdBelly. Show art by Celeste Woods.

The narration for In Her Defence is recorded at Haq Story Studio in Edmonton.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Episode 3: Witnesses to a Crime

22 september 2026 · 36 min
Afspelen

Dozens of women receive a mysterious phone call from police in Regina, telling them they’ve been witnesses to a crime. A meeting with police investigators leaves some victims terrified, and brings old trauma painfully back to the surface. Lees meer

E-mail the reporter, Jana Pruden, at jpruden@globeandmail.com

In Her Defence: Breach of Trust is a seven-part original podcast series from The Globe and Mail. The show is made by Kasia Mychajlowycz and Jana G. Pruden. Sound mixing is by Dave Crosbie, with additional recording by Amber Bracken. The show’s theme song is “Black Horses” by Birdbelly. Show art by Celeste Woods.

The narration for In Her Defence is recorded at Haq Story Studio in Edmonton.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Episode 2: Bob. Bob Semenchuck.

15 september 2026 · 29 min
Afspelen

Officers at the Regina Police Service begin an internal investigation of one of their colleagues, and turn up a case larger and more complex than they could have imagined. Sgt. Alana Heiliger begins to identify patterns in an officer’s use of police databases, and a notebook filled with names and cryptic notations provides valuable clues. Lees meer

Email the reporter, Jana Pruden, at jpruden@globeandmail.com

In Her Defence: Breach of Trust is a seven-part original podcast series from The Globe and Mail. The show is made by Kasia Mychajlowycz and Jana G. Pruden. Sound mixing is by Dave Crosbie, with additional recording by Amber Bracken. The show’s theme song is “Black Horses” by Birdbelly. Show art by Celeste Woods.

The narration for In Her Defence is recorded at Haq Story Studio in Edmonton.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Episode 1: Steve Wrong Number Boy

8 september 2026 · 39 min
Afspelen

It was one single word that caught the attention of Kerry Benjoe, and made her question what she knew about the man she’d been seeing on-and-off for five years. What she learned would turn her life upside down, and expose a shocking web of betrayal and predation affecting hundreds of women — many of whom may not know they were victims. Lees meer

E-mail the reporter, Jana Pruden, at jpruden@globeandmail.com

In Her Defence: Breach of Trust is a seven-part original podcast series from The Globe and Mail.

In Her Defence is made by Kasia Mychajlowycz and Jana G. Pruden. Sound mixing is by Dave Crosbie, with additional recording by Amber Bracken. The show’s theme song is “Black Horses” by Birdbelly. Show art by Celeste Woods.

The narration for In Her Defence is recorded at Haq Story Studio in Edmonton.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Introducing In Her Defence: Breach of Trust

22 juni 2026 · 3 min
Afspelen

What happens when one of the “good guys” turns out to be a bad guy? Lees meer

A Regina police officer preyed on hundreds of vulnerable women using information from police databases. Some of those women risked it all to expose him and hold him accountable. But would the system punish one of its own?

The acclaimed true crime series In Her Defence returns this fall with In Her Defence: Breach of Trust. First episode is out this September.

Follow now, so you don’t miss an episode.

This season’s theme song is Black Horses by BirdBelly. Show art is by Celeste Woods.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
The Decibel: How to make a true crime podcast

18 november 2024 · 24 min
Afspelen

In this bonus episode, we share Jana's interview with The Decibel's Menaka Raman-Wilms. Follow The Decibel for more stories from The Globe and Mail's newsroom, delivered to you every weekday morning. Lees meer

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Persevere, keep trying, don’t give up / âhkamêyimok

28 oktober 2024 · 40 min
Afspelen

What was Amber doing when she disappeared? Police provide some new information about the rest of the phone call, and their investigation. Amber’s mother faces a serious new threat, but vows to keep fighting. Lees meer

Email the reporter, Jana Pruden, at jpruden@globeandmail.com

Learn more about this podcast at https://www.theglobeandmail.com/podcasts/inherdefence/#01

Our cover art is a painting of Amber by Lauren Crazybull. Our theme song is No Surrender by Ms.PAN!K. Episode titles were translated into Plains Cree by Dorothy Thunder.

Individuals impacted by the issue of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls can contact the MMIWG Crisis Line toll-free at 1-844-413-6649.

Support for families impacted by Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls is also available through the Indian Residential School Survivors Society at irsss.ca.

In Her Defence: 50th Street is recorded at Gabby Road Studio on Treaty 6 territory in Edmonton, also known as amiskwaciy-wâskahikan, or Beaver Hills House.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.