Since 2016, Huddinge municipality has worked actively with a so-called dropout unit, where gang criminals can go to get away from drugs, violence and crime and get a better life on the right side of the law. Rene Lobos is one of those who asked for help to get out of crime.
– I have seen myself as not good for anything. Failed at school, failed at being a good son or friend. I thought it must be just pain in me. And if I’m going to be evil, I wanted MVG to be an evil person, says Rene Lobos who finally left crime.
Today, Rene works together with Erol Tümen, outreach worker at the dropout unit in Huddinge municipality to help more young guys take the same step. The motivation to step down is important to cope with a life outside of crime. Then you have to take it step by step from there, says Tümen.
Frames and hugs
We must not forget that many criminals who come to us are children who have only recently gone to school. Then it is necessary to reach out and tell them that their actions are not okay, but we must not lose sight of the fact that they are individuals, human beings. A hug might be in order, but then come the frames. You must follow what is set up. It must be remembered that they are not born criminals, says Tümen.
– Learning to be kind to yourself has been the hardest. To forgive and to get rid of the self-loathing, says Rene who grew up with a father who was an addict and deeply involved in the criminal world. It resulted in me not being kind to myself and not thinking I deserved more.
MVG in being evil
– I didn’t know who I wanted to be. I wasn’t part of society, says Rene.
It was broken inside. Rene tells how he sought help and then received daily support with everything from learning to stand in a regular queue to contacting the authorities. But above all to work with myself. Many hours of therapy, trauma and grief processing are required. As long as I see myself as a criminal and an evil person, I will be. It took me over three years to see myself as a good person when I started to see myself as good and forgiven followed my actions, says Rene.
This is where you can turn if you have thoughts of quitting your criminal life:
https://www.huddinge.se/stod-och-omsorg/misbruk-och-beroende/avhopparverkehsamt/#F%C3%B6r-dig-som-inte-fyllt-20-%C3%A5r