media

"I’m not an expert on the topics of sexual molestation or Legal Abuse Syndrome—only an expert on what happened to me. My education was living through it. My volunteer work with hundreds of survivors inspired me, and I hope to inspire others.

"Imaging of abuse victims' brains shows a noticeable imprint, different from non-victims' brains. The abuse itself, the lies we’re told by the perpetrator, the lies we tell ourselves . . . actually change the circuitry in our brains. But new research shows that these lies can be unlearned.

"I’m no expert; I’m just me. And I’m still unlearning."

• The publicity over David’s lawsuit catapulted his name into the media spotlight. In 1999 he was named by The Duluth News Tribune as one of the best-known Minnesotans (second only to Bob Dylan, Duluth’s native son).  

• WORLD magazine wrote about his story in its article “Cover-up—Not an Option.” Christianity Today also carried a piece: "Church Nearly Closed After Lawsuit." David was interviewed on local TV channels 3, 5, 6, 9, 10, and 11. He spoke on talk shows for radio stations KDAL and KKMS (“The Cutting Edge”) and on MN Public Radio.

•  Peter Jennings of ABC’s World News Tonight filmed a segment on David’s case. CBS Dallas interviewed him, as did Newsweek and NBC's Dateline. The Duluth News Tribune and Budgeteer papers extensively covered his story; also the Minneapolis Star Tribune and the St. Paul Pioneer Press.  

• NBC affiliate KBJR-TV ran a series on his case (“Losing Faith” 1996-1998 and “The Legal Loophole” 2002) featuring award-winning investigative TV news reporter Barbara Reyelts.

 David is available to speak at your group or conference on topics including: 

•  “The Problem of Legal Abuse” - What is Legal Abuse Syndrome? Why isn't this psychological term better known? How many hundreds of thousands of victims of abuse, both sexual and domestic, suffer in silence from the re-victimization it entails? 

•  “The Legal Loophole" -  How is it possible that a self-confessed serial child molester, having been found guilty multiple times through seven years of trial and appeals, could walk away a free man—no fines, no jail time, no criminal record, and no need to be listed on any sex-offender registry? He could be living next door to you and your children. (And police or community officials aren't obliged to tell anyone. Maybe even they don’t know.) 

•  “Statute of Limitations” -  Why do statutes of limitations pose a challenge, especially in childhood sex-abuse cases? And what are the differences between a criminal case and a civil case?

• “Deep pockets—The Cost of Sexual Abuse to Individuals and Society”  How is it possible that a church had to be sold at auction to pay the judgment in a clergy sex-abuse case—isn't there insurance for that kind of thing? Why can't a denomination be held responsible for their clergy's misconduct?  Whose desk does the buck stop at?