| "Statutory rape" is the term. It's harsh for | | | | I love theatre in the first place, but I am |
| a reason. It's a lot more than just "sexual | | | | especially excited when plays deal with |
| misconduct" or "sexual harassment". If it | | | | important dynamics that need to be exposed. |
| happens to a minor, it's abuse - it's | | | | With all the hot news stories about sexual |
| statutory rape. I have been a professional, | | | | abuse by female teachers with their male |
| licensed therapist for over 20 years in the | | | | students, you'd think these occurrences are a |
| Los Angeles area, and I can tell you that the | | | | new "trend." This is a misconception. There |
| effects of this crime on the victim's soul | | | | is no new sin under the sun. Unfortunately, |
| and very identity can be devastating. It | | | | it's been happening for thousands of years. |
| forces them to cover themselves with so many | | | | Most men and women carry the weight of these |
| layers of protection that they forget (or | | | | sins (sins committed against them by others) |
| fail to discover) who they were made to be. | | | | their entire lives. But they don't need to. |
| The good news is that there is a road back | | | | There is freedom if they want it. Yes, it's |
| from this abyss. That's what it feels like | | | | painful, but not as painful as a living the |
| to many of them - a black mark on their soul. | | | | rest of their lives under the heaviness that |
| Each person is unique of course, so they'll | | | | keeps them confused about who they are. This |
| try on a myriad of exteriors to disguise how | | | | is not what God wants. In fact, after seeing |
| they really feel about themselves. Many | | | | a few cases of abuse while I was still in my |
| become addicted to drugs, booze, | | | | practicum, I decided to name my practice |
| perfectionism and even sex. But inside they | | | | "True Identity Counseling." I know a lot of |
| feel a frightening blackness, almost | | | | people can't afford one-on-one therapy, so, |
| completely void of self value. And although | | | | for nearly 15 years, I have led an eight week |
| their victimization might have been 20, 30 or | | | | Christian based course called "Hope and |
| 50 years earlier, they feel a deep and sharp | | | | Healing From Abuse" in Van Nuys, California. |
| sense of shame as though it was yesterday. | | | | The course is designed to help the abused see |
| My job as a therapist is to help them first | | | | the truth about what has occurred, and to |
| admit what happened to them, and to then peel | | | | give them the tools to release their burdens. |
| off each successive layer of self protection | | | | You might think that because it's a class |
| as they build up their true self. People | | | | setting, there's not enough privacy. Quite |
| have the concept that the damage from | | | | the opposite. One lady who I counseled |
| statutory rape or molestation is worse on | | | | individually for several years is now a |
| girls than on boys. Not so. Not at all. | | | | helper in the Hope and Healing series. She |
| Boys can be equally devastated by sins | | | | says that in some ways, there is actually |
| committed against their bodies and souls. | | | | more privacy in the class setting, "because |
| They wonder why they can't have a true sense | | | | they get to sit with themselves and mull the |
| of peace, a thankful heart, or healthy | | | | new information over in their mind without |
| relationships. But men are generally less | | | | feeling any pressure to respond immediately |
| likely to ever admit they are suffering. In | | | | to each point.." Anybody seeing the play, |
| fact, they may not even understand the root | | | | MUSTANG SALLY who has been a victim of abuse, |
| of their rage or pain. We all know the | | | | or knows someone who has, please feel free to |
| cliché that men are harder to get to the | | | | call True Identity Counseling at |
| dentist or doctor because they're supposed to | | | | 818.907-8783. There is hope and healing! |
| be "tough". Imagine the courage it takes for | | | | For more about the play, MUSTANG SALLY, |
| a man to admit he needs help and to go to | | | | opening at the Whitefire Theatre in Sherman |
| counseling! That's why I'm glad my friend | | | | Oaks later this year, please visit or |
| Tish Smiley is producing the play, MUSTANG | | | | |
| SALLY, which addresses this important topic. | | | | More articles from this pro: Andrasik, M.A. |