Thursday, August 7, 2008

Perpetration of abuse


As we begin this topic, I want to highlight the importance of disclosures highlighted in the intro to the workbook. There I wrote (see intro):

. . . it is important for disclosure to occur in a prudent manner. Be careful when making disclosures of sexual behavior. Seriously consider if your disclosure of information would trigger a mandatory report as required by the state and local laws in your residence. There may be a risk of legal consequences if some of your sexual behaviors include illegal behaviors. One way this can be done is to be specific about behaviors, but do not provide any identifiable information. For example, you might want to say “Sexual partner #1” versus giving specific identifiable information. . .

As part of your sexual history, it is important to consider where you might have engaged in behaviors that were abusive and hurt others. With many different traditions (for example: 4th step, moral inventory, examination of conscience) there is a belief that radical honesty about your life and behavior brings the possibility of healing. In that spirit, this assignment is created. It is not a “long” assignment, but it is a difficult assignment. Start by reviewing the assignment on abuse. Consider the behaviors where you might have been sexually, physically and emotionally abusive toward others. Where have you crossed boundaries or violated the values of others?

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