The Pulpit and the Badge: Mica Miller, Stacy Peterson & Abuse of Power I Ep. 136

When the person causing harm holds a position of power, the barriers survivors already face can become even more complicated. In this special Beyond the Statistics conversation, Ingrid Dutton moderates The Pulpit and the Badge: When Power and Authority Go Wrong with Norma Peterson of Document the Abuse, Neil Schori of Called to Peace Ministries, and Bruce Bieber. Using the stories of Mica Miller and Stacy Peterson as a starting point, they examine what happens when domestic abuse and coercive control intersect with positions of power—particularly within churches and law enforcement. The conversation explores spiritual abuse, coercive control, officer-perpetrated domestic violence, institutional betrayal, the “blue wall,” stalking and technology-facilitated abuse, and how charisma, professional authority, and public reputation can make abuse harder for others to recognize. They also confront some of the questions survivors hear most: Why didn’t they just leave? Why didn’t they call the police? Why didn’t the church protect them? You’ll hear why leaving can be an especially dangerous time, how trauma can affect decision-making, and how patterns such as DARVO and the Power and Control Wheel can help us understand abuse beyond individual incidents. Most importantly, this conversation moves beyond awareness to advocacy: What needs to change when the systems survivors are told to trust are connected to the person causing harm? Resources discussed include independent victim advocacy, Called to Peace Ministries, Document the Abuse and the Evidentiary Abuse Affidavit, and the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-SAFE (7233). Beyond the Statistics is a survivor-led podcast dedicated to sharing the stories behind the numbers and examining domestic abuse, sexual assault, human trafficking, and the systems surrounding them. This podcast is intended for mature audiences. Some listeners may find the content distressing as episodes may include discussions of violence, human trafficking, and other forms of abuse, including emotional, psychological, sexual, financial, and physical. In many cases, names have been changed to protect those involved. Please note that the statements and opinions expressed by guests do not necessarily reflect my own. Support the show If you are in the United States and need immediate support, contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline by calling 800-799-SAFE (7233) or texting START to 88788. If you're outside the United States, crisis resources are available at BeyondTheStatisticsPodcast.com/GetHelp. Connect with Beyond the Statistics: 🌐 Website: https://www.BeyondTheStatisticsPodcas... 📧 Email: BeyondTheStatisticsPodcast@gmail.com 📱 Follow on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok, YouTube, and X: @BeyondStatsPod If today's conversation meant something to you, please subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode. Every story shared helps another survivor know they are not alone. Music: Tim Crowe