Very often, we focus on survivors of violence and abuse. However, no one ever thinks of what happens to the perpetrators except for the fact that they go to jail.
Do we ever really try to understand what the real source of the issue is; to find out what has triggered that kind of abusive behavior in the first place? Can an offender be rehabilitated and be free from violence and be reintegrated into society?
Well, very few of us realize that sometimes those who hurt others are themselves young people who have been hurt in one way or another. As a result of what they have gone through, the become children with sexually acting out behaviors.
To explore this further, I had a conversation with Edith Kriel who is the Executive Director of Jelly Beanz, an organization that is dedicated to helping children with sexual acting out behaviors to be free to love, learn, play and grow up emotionally healthy. Speaking to Edith, in the context of commemorating the 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children, left me feeling hopeful that change, though difficult, is possible.
Here’s the interview:
If you would like to get hold of them, visit their website www.jellybeanz.org.za or connect with them on social media.