Judith Rakers and Ariana Baborie reveal harrowing childhood harassment stories

Two brave voices break the silence on trauma that shaped their lives. Their stories reveal courage—and the shadows that linger long after the incidents.

, and Administrator

2026 March 28 . 4:02 AM

1 min read

The image shows a black and white illustration of a man and two children in the woods, with the man... — The image shows a black and white illustration of a man and two children in the woods, with the man holding an object in his hand and the two children standing beside him. In the background, there are trees and grass, and at the bottom of the image there is text which reads "Victorian illustration of the death of a dog".

Judith Rakers and Ariana Baborie reveal harrowing childhood harassment stories

Judith Rakers and Ariana Baborie have shared their personal experiences of harassment in a recent podcast. Both women described disturbing encounters that took place when they were young, highlighting the lasting impact of such incidents. Rakers recalled two separate incidents from her childhood. Around the age of seven, she was threatened by a man in the woods who had a German shepherd with him. The man touched her inappropriately before she managed to escape. She immediately told her parents, who reported the incident to the police. The man was later arrested and found to have committed even more serious offences against others. The experience left Rakers with a lasting fear of German shepherd dogs.

Years later, at around eleven years old, Rakers faced another harrowing situation. A man on a bus touched himself in front of her. She stood up, shouted at him to stop, and the man quickly left the vehicle.

Baborie also spoke about her own frightening experience. When she was between 16 and 18, a man followed her home after a party. He repeatedly asked if she wanted to go with him and later offered her money. The encounter left her deeply unsettled.

During the podcast, Baborie was visibly moved to tears as Rakers described her childhood ordeal. The two discussed how such experiences shape long-term fears and behaviours, even years after the events. The podcast conversation sheds light on the lasting effects of harassment, even decades later. Rakers' quick actions on the bus and her parents' decision to involve the police led to the offender's arrest. Both women continue to speak openly about their experiences, encouraging others to share their stories.