| "Statutory rape" is the term. It's harsh for | | | | of their rage or pain. We all know the |
| a reason. It's a lot more than just "sexual | | | | cliché that men are harder to get to the |
| misconduct" or "sexual harassment". If it | | | | dentist or doctor because they're supposed to |
| happens to a minor, it's abuse - it's | | | | be "tough". Imagine the courage it takes for |
| statutory rape. I have been a professional, | | | | a man to admit he needs help and to go to |
| licensed therapist for over 20 years in the | | | | counseling! |
| Los Angeles area, and I can tell you that the | | | | |
| effects of this crime on the victim's soul | | | | That's why I'm glad my friend Tish Smiley is |
| and very identity can be devastating. It | | | | producing the play, MUSTANG SALLY, which |
| forces them to cover themselves with so many | | | | addresses this important topic. I love |
| layers of protection that they forget (or | | | | theatre in the first place, but I am |
| fail to discover) who they were made to be. | | | | especially excited when plays deal with |
| | | | important dynamics that need to be exposed. |
| The good news is that there is a road back | | | | With all the hot news stories about sexual |
| from this abyss. That's what it feels like | | | | abuse by female teachers with their male |
| to many of them - a black mark on their soul. | | | | students, you'd think these occurrences are a |
| Each person is unique of course, so they'll | | | | new "trend." This is a misconception. There |
| try on a myriad of exteriors to disguise how | | | | is no new sin under the sun. Unfortunately, |
| they really feel about themselves. Many | | | | it's been happening for thousands of years. |
| become addicted to drugs, booze, | | | | |
| perfectionism and even sex. But inside they | | | | Most men and women carry the weight of these |
| feel a frightening blackness, almost | | | | sins (sins committed against them by others) |
| completely void of self value. And although | | | | their entire lives. But they don't need to. |
| their victimization might have been 20, 30 or | | | | There is freedom if they want it. Yes, it's |
| 50 years earlier, they feel a deep and sharp | | | | painful, but not as painful as a living the |
| sense of shame as though it was yesterday. | | | | rest of their lives under the heaviness that |
| My job as a therapist is to help them first | | | | keeps them confused about who they are. This |
| admit what happened to them, and to then peel | | | | is not what God wants. |
| off each successive layer of self protection | | | | |
| as they build up their true self. | | | | In fact, after seeing a few cases of abuse |
| | | | while I was still in my practicum, I decided |
| People have the concept that the damage from | | | | to name my practice "True Identity |
| statutory rape or molestation is worse on | | | | Counseling." I know a lot of people can't |
| girls than on boys. Not so. Not at all. | | | | afford one-on-one therapy, so, for nearly 15 |
| Boys can be equally devastated by sins | | | | years, I have led an eight week Christian |
| committed against their bodies and souls. | | | | based course called "Hope and Healing From |
| They wonder why they can't have a true sense | | | | Abuse" in Van Nuys, California. The course |
| of peace, a thankful heart, or healthy | | | | is designed to help the abused see the truth |
| relationships. But men are generally less | | | | about what has occurred, and to give them the |
| likely to ever admit they are suffering. In | | | | tools to release their burdens. |
| fact, they may not even understand the root | | | | |