I am always telling my children that with each choice we make there are consequences, whether they are good or bad. I know we all make poor choices at times, some people choose to make horrific ones. Bob works for a counseling center. He does the billing there. They handle all kinds of issues but their counselors specialize in dealing with sexual abuse cases. They are different because they not only treat the abused but they also treat those who abuse. Most centers will only handle one or the other. It's not a poor you treatment for the abuser, the counselors hold up the mirror and help to make them accept responsibility for their actions and also try to help them not to abuse again. This is a life long battle to fight the "sickness" within themselves, I really don't know how else to say it. There are some counselors who believe so deeply in on going treatment that they meet with a group each week to help keep them on at a safe level, for themselves and those around them. Did I mention that they do the majority of this group for free? They do, that is how important it is to keep the support going.
Yesterday was a hard day for my honey. For two years now they have been receiving a grant to help with the sexual perpetrators treatment. One of the things the grant has been able to do is to help subsidize their rent. It wasn't just to help provide housing but to be able to know where they are. Bob was informed yesterday, by those that provide the money, that this can no longer happen. He tried to argue the point but was in the end asked, "do you want the money or not?" Of course they want the money, this grant does so much more than help to provide housing. It helps to provide treatment which in turn helps to reduce the risk of re-offending. He even tried to get them to agree to helping subsidize rent for one more month, no luck.
He had to inform two of the recipients of this change yesterday. It did not go well. Normally Bob has many walls put up to help deal with clients. He typically doesn't let things get to him, especially when it comes to those who made such horrific choices. Normal response for him is, "you made these choices now these are your consequences". The walls were broken down yesterday. He had to let them know they could not help with the rent subsidy any more. This ultimately will mean that they will be homeless. That in itself is not good for anyone but for a sexual offender it is worse. They can't go to the Center for the Homeless because there are women and children there. They used to be able to go to Hope Rescue, not anymore. Hope Rescue has expanded to allow women and children there as well. They really have no where to go...no where.
I know these people have made the choices that have led them up to this point. My human response, let them deal, let them suffer the consequences. Others are suffering because of their actions. My Jesus response, the one I am more inclined to lean towards, pray. Pray that there will be some solution that will help all those affected. Ultimately, pray, pray that they find Jesus so they can know the hope He offers, even when it seems that there is none.
