Today Dave Markel, friend of the podcast and host of the S.A.S.S. (Sexual Assault Survivor Stories) podcast, is hosting a round table featureing three male survivors of childhood sexual abuse; David Weeks, Lee Cooper, and Robert Marshall. Each were affected in their own ways, but today in part one of this two part episode, they come together to discuss the impact that their traumas had on them throughout their lives, how their experiences differ from those of female survivors of sexual assault and abuse, and what it’s like for men to disclose and reprocess their trauma in a legal setting.

In this conversation, David shares his tumultuous childhood marked by emotional and psychological turmoil stemming from his parents' chaotic relationship. He reflects on the impact of manipulation and neglect from his mother, the trauma of his father's arrest, and the long-lasting effects of these experiences on his mental health. David emphasizes the importance of understanding complex PTSD and the necessity of somatic therapies for healing. Terra Newell engages with David's story, highlighting the need for awareness around mental health and the healing journey

David Weeks is a survivor of coercive control and human trafficking, bravely speaking out about his experiences. His growing social media following is a testament to the impact of his message. David refuses to stay silent—because abuse thrives in silence.About David:David survived two decades of horrific abuse: familial, medical, and predatory. This included neglect, isolation, coercive control, and attempted murder. Sex trafficked at 13, with known abuse ignored, he was diagnosed with autism and suffered life-altering trauma. He now educates on trauma to support survivors and protect the vulnerable.

David Weeks, a child abuse survivor and advocate, shares his journey of betrayal, abandonment, and isolation. He discusses the impact of his abusive stepfather and the neglectful behavior of his mother. David highlights the lack of stability and love in his childhood, leading to a loss of identity and a struggle to understand who he is. He also talks about the challenges of navigating the world with childhood trauma and the effects of medication on his development. David emphasizes the importance of love, validation, and attention in a child's life and the long-lasting impact of abuse. David shares his experiences of trauma and abuse, including his father's arrest and his mother's manipulation. He discusses the impact of social isolation, body shaming, and the development of an eating disorder. David also reveals how he was groomed and sexually exploited by older individuals, leading to a cycle of abuse and a distorted understanding of love and validation. David shares his experience of being sexually abused as a boy and the barriers he faced in getting help. He discusses the societal belief that boys can't be sexually abused and the cultural blueprint that discourages men from disclosing their abuse.

Jessica Anne Pressler, LCSW, sits with David J. Weeks—a complex-trauma survivor and Trauma & Recovery Coach—to tell the truth of his childhood and the long road back. Raised by a narcissistic mother and an antisocial stepfather, David endured years of torment. By age 14, he had experienced all 10 Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs). At 13, while searching for love he never received at home, he was exploited and raped by a 39-year-old neighbor; the abuse escalated into repeated assaults and trafficking. In this first half, David names what happened, explains how a child’s nervous system bonds to any attachment it can find, and shares why emotional abuse can become the deepest wound.

David may seem to live an enviable life now, but his childhood was marked by deep hardship. Growing up in Virginia, everything changed when he was four and his father left, telling David’s mother he no longer wanted to be around him. Shortly afterward, his mother married their neighbor, a soldier who was deployed soon after becoming David’s stepfather, leaving David to feel responsible for the household at an impossibly young age. During that time, his mother turned to him for emotional comfort, overwhelming him with affection that felt confusing and uncomfortable. When his stepfather returned, David was suddenly ignored, and this emotional turmoil became the foundation for years of further abuse. At ten, he was told he and his sister were on a “hit list” created by their biological father — a story he wouldn’t uncover the truth of until much later in life. David’s life continued to unravel for years, shaping the resilience and honesty he is known for today. By sharing his story, he now helps raise awareness about child abuse and sexual assault, inspiring others to join in supporting survivors and seeking justice.