Twenty years ago, the tiny British territory of Pitcairn Island – founded by the HMS Bounty mutineers and home to just 37 subjects – became the centre of a scandal when UK police launched an operation to investigate allegations of historic child sexual abuse.

Last year Always True Crime launched a limited series podcast, ‘The Pitcairn Trials’ during which journalist Luke Jones expertly navigates the extraordinary challenge of bringing modern British law and policing to this unique setting, detailing the complex cultural context and the profound legal battles that ensued.

The podcast’s dedication to presenting the human cost of the events, through interviews with key figures and including the powerful testimony of abuse survivor Glenda, often means the series paints a vivid and often heartbreaking picture. Each episode details the immense pressure placed on witnesses and the political debate surrounding the trials.

This year, this journalism has been rewarded with The Pitcairn Trials inclusion on Apple Podcast’s Series Essential List. Which means the show is currently available ad-free through Apple. The promotion and publicity has pushed the podcast high into the podcast charts, with a huge increase in downloads, showing the importance of continuing to tell these stories through podcasting and the unwavering pursuit of justice against overwhelming odds.

Check out The Pitcairn Trials here