Hi Daryl,

So I am guessing you primarily get female sexual assault victims, or are there people coming forward about sexual abuse in their childhood as well? I still think it shows a lot of compassion on your part to listen to all of those painful stories while at the same time carrying the pain of your own story of rape.

Some of my friends from college eventually went on to become therapists. Many of them have said that it is very hard to take on the burden of other peoples' pain without it somehow affecting your personal life. That is why a few of my therapist friends also have therapists of their own. It seems extremely unfair that you would have to work on this council at work while not having a therapist to talk about your own issues.

I am sorry you have to work with such narrow minded people.

Peter,

It is mostly those who have been abused before as children and some as teens. Some right before they come to us with little or no help been offered for them. On occasion something happens while they are with us when they go home for weekends. We then act on that if they or family members notify us.

Every great once in a while an allegation is made on center and we act upon those as well. Yes, mostly female. With males it is about what has happened in their past. Males are less likely to come forward as you and others here are well aware of being true.

I do pretty good at blocking it all out but at times I can barely hang in there to do what needs to be done. Sometimes I think I need to look for other types of work. Too bad I have little talent.

Hi Daryl,

Don't sell yourself short. of course you have talents. We all do. A second career can be right for some people, but often it takes a few sacrifices and the transition is not always smooth & easy. But I am sure there are other things you are good at

I wonder how much the "blocking it out" transfers over to your personal life. With such a job, I imagine it is hard to maintain the boundary between personal and professional.

I do beat up on the church for allowing it to continue, they are in a position to stop it, and have not. There can be no holiness in such people, both the perpetrators, and those who protect the perpetrators. I think many priests will find surprise when the pearly gates are closed to them for turning a blind eye.