Before we begin, we want to make the listener aware that this episode contains adult content

related to abuse, sexual assault, and or suicide. Listener discretion as advised.

Today we welcome Dave Pittman to Bodies Behind the Bus.

Dave is a survivor of sexual abuse and sexual assault that was perpetrated by a Southern

Baptist minister. For over 13 years, he's worked to see reform on abuse policy and culture

relating to abuse within churches. He's the director of Together We Heal,

an organization he formed in 2011 to help survivors

of child sexual abuse and to offer guidance for their families.

Its mission is to prevent sexual abuse,

help those already harmed begin the process of healing,

and offer a safe forum for victims and their families to share,

learn, and heal. Dave is also a safeguarding educator at Grace, an organization which focuses on

the prevention of and response to abuse in faith communities. Dave helped develop Grace's

safeguarding initiative, program that focuses on

helping change the culture within churches regarding all forms of abuse. We're excited to have

Dave on the podcast, so let's jump right into the conversation. All right, welcome, Dave.

It's an honor to have you on the Bodies Behind the Bus podcast.

We sent you Simon and Amy's episode.

I would just love to start out with what was your impression of this episode?

What did you take away from it? What really

stood out to you as well? Thank you both for having me on. I do appreciate the opportunity.

My impression is the same, just like we've talked about, we've talked about previously, John.

...