Mark Woods - Artist and Sexual Abuse Survivor. A Remarkable Man.

The Jerry Hyde Podcast

Clive Hally taught art at Brynteg Comprehensive School in Bridgend, Wales for 36 years. During that time he sexually abused a great many pupils, one of whom was my friend Mark Woods who's courageous decision to go to the police lead to Hally finally being arrested at the age of 67.
Mark, who is now 49, was a gifted and aspiring 15 year old artist when Hally first began abusing him , and the after effects of those traumatic experiences which went regularly on until he left school at 18 have defined his life ever since. His decision to break the silence took many painful years, and the frank and open way in which he describes his journey from the isolation that accompanies abuse to the reconnection with self, friends and family as he found his voice is profoundly moving.
To me this is a very important episode - Mark's willingness to go public and share his testimony with the world is not only incredibly brave, it has the potential to inspire others to speak out against the scourge of sexual abuse that affects so many who are shamed and bullied into silence. If you know of anyone who has been through this kind of trauma, please share Mark's story with them.
Title track composed by Jerry Hyde and Nick Van Gelder, produced by Nick Van Gelder, keyboards by Kenny Dickenson, brass by Noel Langley, vocals by Sian O'Gorman.