A Prayer for Healing

            The holiday season brings a different tone around the youth detention center. Many of the teens are looking forward to spending time with their family, receiving gifts and transitioning out of the system; however, this is also a season where hurtful emotions are triggered and memories of loss are relived. I have found that many of the youth are still dealing with their painful past and striving to overcome it.  

            The topic at last week's group meeting was sexual assault. Four youth members and one case manager attended it. The youth were eager to tell their stories and each one was able to relate to the other. I opened the conversation by having them describe their general views regarding sexual assault and sexual molestation. All of them agreed that there was no difference between the two because both actions had the same results. They stressed the fact that the victim is left traumatized and ‘messed up’. They also remarked that both assault and molestation are unwanted and forced encounters, making them similarly offensive. In unison, the youth agreed that the individual who suffers from assault or molestation is traumatized.  

            Each one of them had a sexual assault or sexual molestation experience. Most, if not all, of them experienced being assaulted or molested between the ages of 5 - 18 years old. Unfortunately, the assaults were at the hands of someone they trusted and/or a family member. Most, if not all, of the assaults were a set up by the perpetrator. As I listened to them disclose their stories, they shared a common coping mechanism. That mechanism is forgiveness and it has helped with their survival. The idea behind forgiveness was to let go of the experience and not let their perpetrators have control of their lives or minds. This was a process that took time but eventually each youth has adapted and worked to overcome their trauma as best as possible. 

            It was overwhelming to witness their eagerness and resiliency to survive these events; however, my hope is that they take advantage of individual therapy to fully heal from trauma and rebuild an identity that affirms their value. The healing process will be a long one; it could take years. Through weekly group meetings and tough discussions, the youth discover how past trauma influences their present life and sometimes they re-live their traumatic experiences. Individual therapy will help them contain the emotions from these damaging situations so that they can experience peace. This season points me back to Christ whose great love for each of us brings healing and restoration to broken lives. My prayer is that every youth at the detention center comes to know God’s love as we continue to minister His presence.