Transcript

A (0:00)

The following podcast contains accounts of child sexual assault. Listener discretion is advised. This is Australian True Crime with Michelle Laurie. Back in 2018, we recorded an episode of the podcast with Alesha. When Alesha was seven years old, she was abducted by a stranger on her way home from school and sexually assaulted. She told her mother immediately and police began investigating. But the case went cold and stayed that way for 26 years. In 2014, Alesha contacted police to ask for a review of her case, and as a result, her offender was caught and convicted. In the next episode of Australian True Crime, released on Monday, Alicia joins us again to give us an update. But today we're replaying that first conversation to refresh your memory. This is Australian True Crime. We acknowledge the traditional owners of the land on which this podcast is created, the Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung People of the Kulin Nation.

B (1:08)

At vrbo, we understand that even the best of plans sometimes need a little support. So we plan for the plot twists. Every booking is automatically backed by our VRBO Care guarantee, giving you confidence from the very start. We whenever you need help, it's ready before your stay, through the moments in between and after your trip. Because a great trip starts with peace of mind and maybe a good playlist, but we've got the peace of mind part covered. I'm quite okay, if that makes sense. Like, I feel like I'm quite normal, if there is such a thing. But, yeah, I just want to do something more. And the reason that I contacted the police and had my case revisited was I was sitting around at a friend's house speaking to one of her friends. We were having, having a few drinks and she was going through something similar. She had been attacked when she was about 15 and she was going through the court process, you know, later in. In life or later, you know, after the fact, to. To have it open, I thought, well, hang on, if she can do it, why can't I? Why can't I contact the police and ask for my case to be revisited? So I guess, yeah, if it gives the courage to somebody else. And I'm not saying that everyone's going to have the same outcome that I have, but if it just gave somebody the courage to go, hey, I can do that, I can pick up the phone, then, then it's worth it.

A (2:29)

I remember during the royal commission into the. What's the official title? It's so Long Winded into the Conduct of Institutions to Sexual Abuse of Children, I think that was the entire name. It came out that I think the Average length of time it took people to disclose sexual abuse from childhood was 33 years.

B (2:54)

That's. I'm 36, so. So that's roughly a long time to hide something.

A (3:01)

Summary

Australian True Crime Podcast Summary

Episode Title: I Was Sexually Assaulted By A Stranger When I Was 7 Re-Issue

Host: Meshel Laurie
Guest: Alesha (Pseudonym)
Original Air Date: March 5, 2026
Episode Focus:
Alesha bravely recounts her abduction and assault as a 7-year-old in suburban Melbourne in 1989, her family's immediate and long-term responses, the police investigation that went cold for 26 years, and the eventual pursuit and conviction of her attacker due to advances in DNA evidence and her own determination.

Main Theme

This episode explores the survivor’s journey from traumatic childhood assault to empowerment through the justice process, highlighting the silence, shame, and systemic failures surrounding child sexual abuse, as well as the power and importance of speaking out—both for personal healing and societal change.

Key Discussion Points

1. The Assault and Immediate Aftermath

Setting: 1989, suburban Melbourne—considered "safe" at the time.
Incident:
- Alesha, age 7, was approached by a man after school under the pretense of asking questions about her brother’s bike (05:59).
- He claimed to be from the council and persuaded her to follow him.
- Despite an instinctive discomfort, Alesha complied due to ingrained respect for adults, conflicting with “stranger danger” messaging.
- She was led into a secluded pine plantation near a haunted house and sexually assaulted (09:40).
- Memorable quote:
  
  “...I have visions and I have flashbacks... but then there’s a lot of... memories that... wasn’t until I read the statement that I actually realized how sick and disgusting he was.” —Alesha (10:55)
Disclosure: Alesha ran home immediately, screaming; the house was soon full of police and neighborhood watch (16:03).
Family Response:
- Her mother and sister responded with panic, urgency, and confusion (17:22).
- The police conducted forensic examinations and took her statement.

2. Impact on Childhood and Family

Community Reaction:
- Only one neighbor brought food; most people turned away, avoiding the family or offering little comfort (20:47).
- Alesha describes loss of innocence—she could not sleep without the lights on and told her mother, “gidmidi doesn’t live here anymore” (22:18).
Coping and Disassociation:
- As an adult, Alesha expresses a strong sense of disassociation, viewing her younger self almost as a different person (09:40 & 13:00).
- Quote:
  
  "I feel so sorry for that little girl because I know what she’s been through. Even though she actually is me.” (13:10)

3. Growing Up With Trauma

Mental Health Struggles:
- No substantial counseling as a child; diagnosed with depression at 18 (25:14).
- Hospitalized for severe depression and suicidal ideation in early twenties; medication managed by a crisis assessment team (33:14).
Adolescent & Adult Sexuality:
- Initially, sexual activity was disconnected from fear; she recalls being almost reckless, “The worst thing has happened to me already. What else can you do?” (25:49).
- Underwent a "promiscuous phase" as described for some sexual assault survivors (26:20).

4. The Cold Case and Pursuit of Justice

Family and Police:
- The case went cold for 26 years. Neither Alesha nor her family were regularly contacted by police (27:13, 28:44).
- Her parents did not pursue the case; her father struggled with alcoholism and illness.
Catalyst for Reopening the Case:
- Inspired by another survivor pursuing justice, Alesha contacted police in 2014 to request a review (01:08).
- Initial attempts were discouraging—records were hard to locate, and initial responses from police were lackluster (29:45–33:10).
- Found old newspaper articles in the state library, which helped validate and revive her case (30:23).

5. The Investigation: Advances, Breakthrough, and Court

Modern Forensics:
- Cold Case Unit located and tested old forensic evidence; initial results were negative, causing Alesha to lose hope again (33:10).
- In 2015, new DNA evidence was found, leading to identification of the perpetrator, Sterling Bauer, who lived in the adjacent street at the time (40:00–41:08).
- Key evidence included semen left on her clothing—“I’m so glad he did [leave DNA]. Because that’s what caught him.” (23:44)
Legal Process:
- The suspect was traced to Queensland, arrested, and extradited (44:09).
- He was already on parole for another sexual assault; never applied for bail (44:55).
- Bauer’s defense attempted to challenge the DNA evidence’s integrity (41:10).
- Alesha’s childhood sketch proved to be “almost 100%” accurate (41:24).
- Ultimately, he pleaded guilty to rape (52:10).
Sentencing:
- Sentenced to six years (minimum four) and listed as a sex offender for 15 years.
- Frustration over lenient sentences and the system, especially for crimes against children (47:01, 58:46).
- “I want him to walk out of jail and be thinking that every person he walks past in the street knows what he does, what he did.” (40:13).

6. Life After Justice

No True Closure:
- Despite the conviction and “closure,” the psychological impact is lifelong (59:08).
- Well-meaning friends and relatives minimize the trauma:
  
  “So are you over it now?”
  “Something I think about every single day of my life… you never get anything back.” (59:19)
Speaking Out:
- Alesha articulates the significance of sharing her experience—not just for herself, but to empower others to seek redress or support (02:29, 62:02).
- “If it gives the courage to somebody else ... to pick up the phone, then it’s worth it.” (01:08)
- Host Meshel Laurie affirms:
  
  "Why should you have to put a lid on it and keep the pressure of this inside your own mind and body? I didn't do anything wrong." (61:01)
- Emphasis on the need for society to discuss abuse openly to erode stigma and silence (60:53–62:27).

Notable Quotes & Moments with Timestamps

[01:08] Alesha: “If it gives the courage to somebody else ... to pick up the phone, then it’s worth it.”
[09:40] Alesha: “I’ve almost disassociated myself with that seven-year-old girl ... when I get upset, I get upset for that girl, not for me.”
[13:00] Alesha: “It was hard, but again, it’s hard because I feel so sorry for that poor little seven-year-old girl. Not for me.”
[16:03] Alesha: “It’s funny because he said, don’t tell anyone. Well, everyone knew.”
[22:18] Alesha: “I turned to [Mum] and said 'gidmidi doesn’t live here anymore.' That little gimmicky’s not here anymore. It’s been taken away. I think that’s the worst part of it.”
[23:44] Alesha: “I’m so glad he did [leave DNA evidence]. Because that’s what caught him.”
[25:49] Alesha: “The worst thing has happened to me already. What else can you do?”
[40:13] Alesha: “Because what more of a sentence could you get than everybody in the world knowing that you’re a rapist?”
[58:46] Alesha: “To me, [having his name] on the Internet forever ... is a greater sentence than anything that judge ever could have handed down.”
[59:08] Meshel/Alesha:
- Meshel: “Closure doesn’t exist. That’s not a real thing. You never get anything back.”
- Alesha: “No ... something I think about every single day of my life.”
[63:51] Alesha: “People don't talk about it because they're ashamed. ... I did nothing wrong.”

Timestamps for Major Segments

[00:00–04:00] Episode and case introduction, warning for sensitive content.
[04:00–12:00] Detailed account of Alesha’s assault; community, family, and police immediate responses.
[20:17–27:02] Impact on everyday life, school, and childhood innocence.
[27:13–33:10] Adolescence and early adulthood: mental health, relationships, and disconnection from self.
[33:10–41:10] The cold case, struggle with authorities, and use of DNA to identify the perpetrator.
[44:09–52:10] Arrest, extradition, legal hurdles, plea, and sentencing.
[52:10–59:01] Reflections on justice, impact statements, trauma’s legacy.
[59:01–62:27] The importance of sharing, fighting stigma, final thoughts.

Tone & Style

Authentic, conversational, and unflinching. Alesha speaks with equal parts frankness and emotional restraint, often deflecting attention from her own suffering except to highlight the broader implications for others.
Meshel Laurie maintains a supportive, validating stance, gently prompting without sensationalism.
Empowerment Through Testimony: Despite harrowing details, Alesha’s story is ultimately about reclaiming agency and giving others permission to speak out.

Key Takeaways

Child sexual assault can occur anywhere, even in seemingly “safe” communities.
Survivors may live for decades without meaningful justice or support, often due to social stigma and institutional failures.
The power of DNA evidence and dedicated investigators can break decades-old silences.
Disclosure and speaking out can catalyze not only legal justice, but personal healing and support for others.
Advocacy, discussion, and representation in the media are crucial to breaking cycles of shame and silence.

If you or someone you know needs support regarding sexual assault, please contact 1-800-Respect in Australia or an appropriate service in your area.

Note: This summary excludes advertisements, non-content, and episode outro sections for clarity and focus on the narrative and discussion.

I Was Sexually Assaulted By A Stranger When I Was 7 *Re-Issue*