Treating sex offenders

10-24-2010 Ohio:

Class offered in Toledo

TOLEDO, Ohio (WUPW) - Rapists, child molesters, and other sexual crimes; can people involved in these illegal activities be treated? Some think so, and a class in Toledo is willing to help them become better people.

According to the Sheriff's office there are nearly 1,000 registered sex offenders in Lucas County, but a class held at the Cherry Street Mission focuses on helping people change the way they think.

Donald Frederick was once classified as a registered sex offender. He says he was arrested and charged for having an affair with a married woman who denied ever knowing him.

"I was ostracized put down, every apartment I got people posted letters they tried to label you as this and label you as that without even knowing the situation," said Frederick.

After serving 10 years in prison Frederick says society continues to attack him. So he joined a class a few years back to help him deal with his past as he looks towards the future.

"As going through the class they teach you how to deal with adverse situations how to deal with situations that are called in your face when someone approaches you," said Frederick.

It's a part of the Ready for Life Program, held at the Cherry Street Mission, called Thinking for a Change. About 10 to 20 people participate twice a week and Pastor Charles Allen, the instructor, says most of these people are looking for a way out of their situation.

"Anyone can change, and think differently about who they are. We take everyone, yes it's a class for sex offenders but it's a class for the alcoholics, the drug addicts and the knuckle heads for those who want to act crazy" said Allen. ..Source.. by Sharia Davis