About six months ago I was in another city doing some work. I stayed at a hostel-type place. I encountered a woman there who was bruised up pretty good. I spoke with her. She had been beaten by a gang that has a reputation for dealing drugs, running prostitution and weapons. The gang was looking for her because they thought she was going to speak with the police and testify against them. The police wanted to speak with her but they then intended to release her without any protection. Long and the short: I got her out of town to a 'safe house' where she received treatment she'd needed for a long time. (She was/is on a methadone program and she has AIDS. Her mental state was terrible--as you might imagine.) She returned to the hostel a few weeks back while she was in town for a day. The fellow at the desk told me she said hello and that she was looking healthy, happy and peaceful. All she needed was a break, and she got one. Sometimes, that's all people need--a break.