Categories covered by this talk

ISSUE: Other forms of sexual violence, abuse, & exploitation

These speakers are giving away the following

A FREE copy of Surface Tension and Cracked Surface (Release date is August 1, 2020), the first two books in the Surface Series. Based on my experience as an athlete and dealing Predatory Grooming, and Sexual Abuse from the coach, medical team, benefactors, and those I trusted. Surface Tension: The springboard finals find David leading the best divers in the world, but his internal struggles try to derail his competitive psyche. David must silence the voices in his head to perform a near-perfect final dive and change his life forever. Returning home to Aulden, Ohio, David faces the reality that people aren't what they seem. In August 2016, David agrees to Dr. Warner's unethical form of therapy. Reflecting on the year he turned sixteen, David discovered he had the God-given talent, determination, and a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Several things stood between him and a gold medal at the 1979 World Games Diving Championships in Tønsberg, Norway: his age, inexperience, and family secrets. Am I Dead? CRACK SURFACE is the second installment of the Surface Series based on real life experiences which explores the continuing journey of struggle, understanding, and self-discovery of a life riddled with grooming, manipulation, and sexual abuse. After winning the World Games at sixteen in Surface Tension, David dreams of becoming a whole person by reinventing, adapting, and assimilating to fit into college, the entertainment business, and society. But first, he has to face the past, recognize repeating patterns, and find his true self. This is an inspirational real-life “David and Goliath” story of survival.

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About this talk

1 in 6 males are sexually abused before the age of eighteen. This number is higher in sports, since our society only deems this act as hazing, initiating, rite of passage, and the myth that males cannot be sexually abused. This narrative may help the audience understand a victim’s point-of-view of being groomed, the choice of not reporting, and the long-term effects may provide insight on how survivors try to live a normal life.

Takeaway Ideas:

1 out of 6 males are sexually abused before the age of 18 and the numbers are higher in sports
Why males are reluctant to report sexual abuse
The long-tern effects of being sexually abused as a child.

John-Michael Lander (USA)

M.Ed. (Antioch McGregor University) 2009, BFA (Wright State University) 2001 Break the Silence Against Domestic Violence Speaker Darkness to Light SafeSport Trained: Completed