Andy Woodward (Audio); Breaking the Silence: A journey from Exploitation & Trauma to Advocacy.

In this powerful episode Naomi Murphy and David Jones meet with former professional footballer Andy Woodward who shares his harrowing journey of survival and advocacy after disclosing the sexual abuse he suffered at the hands of football coach Barry Bennell. Andy discusses the challenges he faced in the media, the importance of trauma-informed journalism, and his commitment to helping others who have experienced similar trauma. He reflects on the impact of his experiences on his family and his personal journey towards healing and empowerment.

Andy Woodward. was catapulted onto the front covers of the press in 2016 when he disclosed that he had been sexually abused over several years by the football coach Barry Bennell. He’s written an award winning book, Position of Trust and the film Floodlights showed some of his story. He was a founding member of The Offside Trust and supported the setting up of Operation Hydrant.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Position-Trust-football-betrayed-Shortlisted/dp/147369969X

Key Topics Discussed:

- Andy's decision to go public about his abuse in 2016 and the pivotal moments that led to this choice.

- The role of journalists and the media in telling sensitive stories and the need for a duty of care towards victims.

- The emotional toll of reliving traumatic experiences during interviews and the lack of support provided to him.

- The importance of free speech and the right to share one's truth, especially for survivors of abuse.

- Andy's journey of self-healing, including his work with therapists and his exploration of spirituality.

- The impact of his experiences on his family and the broader implications for society in addressing abuse and mental health.

- Andy's commitment to inspiring others and advocating for change within organizations that have failed to protect victims.