Community Justice Initiatives helps male sex abuse survivors, and offenders
Aug 21, 2009
From Johanna Weidner's article on TheRecord.com:
Just like female victims, male victims of sexual trauma struggle to heal, but there are many more barriers for men to get the help they need.
For people who have perpetrated sexual crimes, finding help is perhaps even more difficult.
Supporting those people who are overlooked, and often condemned, is a mission at Community Justice Initiatives.
The non-profit organization offers peer support groups to men and women who suffered sexual trauma, as well as groups for people who offend sexually.
“To not address both sides of a social problem means it won’t end,” said Iliana Pressman, service co-ordinator.
The organization began its first victim support group in the mid-70s with the founding of the organization, based on the principles of restorative justice, which addresses conflict and crime by engaging people causing the harm and affected by it, with the community.
By the early ‘80s, they added the first male survivor group, and then one for sexual offenders.
Now every year Community Justice Initiatives supports about 70 people who have committed sexual offences, about double the number of survivors.
Healing a Man's Heart (male sex abuse)
Tom wrote Healing a Man’s Heart, a workbook designed to help Christian men face, admit, and deal with their abuse. He says, “I wrote this workbook for men who are stuck just like I used to be—men whose hearts long to be set free, but fear dampens and steals any ray of hope.” His goal is for men to become comfortable addressing the issues within them and eventually arrive to a point of breaking the silence.
Tom also conducts “Healing Broken Men” workshop retreats, which are great for participants to start or continue their healing in a safe, private, and supportive environment. Workshop sessions include losing the victim status, removing the fear factor, destroying lies and myths, repainting your picture with truth, and reclaiming God’s identity for you.
For more information about Thomas Edward, the Healing a Man’s Heart workbook, or the Healing Broken Men workshops, visit www.healingbrokenmen.com.