Beyond The Back Paddock with Narelle Fraser

Summary  

Narelle Fraser was a member of Victoria Police for 27 years, 15 of those as a Detective with squads including Homicide, Rape, Sex Crimes, Missing Persons & Child Exploitation, specialising in sex offences & child abuse.   She was involved in many high-profile criminal investigations.

In 2012 Narelle was diagnosed with PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) & was never able to return to Policing, however she overcame many adversities to become a mental health advocate, keynote speaker & true-crime podcaster where she openly discusses stress in the workplace & the challenges of first responders facing trauma & grief on a daily basis. 

She discusses a life-changing moment during a counseling course with Lifeline that led her to become a policewoman. Narelle highlights the importance of empathy and understanding in policing, particularly in cases involving child abuse and sex offenders. She also shares her transition into keynote speaking and the impact of her work in the police force. In this conversation, Narelle shares her experiences in solving high-profile cases and the impact it had on her mental health. She recounts the discovery of Maria James' body in the boot of a car and the emotional toll it took on her. Narelle also discusses the Anna and Gracie Sharp case, where she found the bodies of a murdered mother and her 17-month-old daughter. She opens up about her diagnosis of PTSD and the challenges she faced in accepting her mental illness. Narelle concludes by reflecting on the impact of the floods on her mental health and sharing her hidden talent for making roast potatoes.   Takeaways

• Solving high-profile cases can have a significant impact on the mental health of detectives, leading to conditions such as PTSD.
• Accepting and seeking help for mental illness is crucial for recovery and well-being.
• The emotional toll of traumatic experiences can be long-lasting and may require ongoing support.
• Sharing vulnerabilities can be a strength and help connect with others who have had similar experiences.

Sound Bites   Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Life-Changing Moment 04:15 Becoming a Policewoman 07:07 Challenges and Growth in the Police Force 09:03 Dream Job and Keynote Speaking 14:39 Career in the Victorian Police Force 25:42 Child Abuse and Sex Offender Cases 28:46 Maria Corp Investigation 44:49 Finding Maria James 45:43 Discovering Maria in the Boot 47:21 Maria's Rescue 48:16 Tanya's Involvement 49:03 The Anna and Gracie Sharp Case 49:56 Emotional Impact of the Cases 52:12 Encounter with Victor Pierce 59:23 Diagnosis of PTSD 01:05:23 Impact of Floods on Mental Health 01:18:21 Hidden Talent: Making Roast Potatoes 01:19:09 Memorable Advice: Stop Comparing Yourself