It is a monumental moment when a victim of abuse stops blaming themselves. At just 17, J has come to that empowering place. She has come to realise that it is not her fault and that she did nothing wrong. As she continues her therapy with us, she’s opening up about her feelings more and more. She is becoming more empowered to stand up for herself and is learning to put herself first instead of trying to please others at her own expense.

A social worker from DSD brought J to us. J had finally disclosed that her foster father had sexually abused her for several years and that she had attempted suicide many times. But right after her disclosure, he, himself, committed suicide. The family was left in shambles. J was overcome with shame and guilt, and she no longer felt welcome in her foster home.

Her social worker immediately placed her in another foster home and brought her to the Teddy Bear Foundation for healing and psychological support. J feels loved and accepted in her new foster home, and through her therapy has come to realise that it was a foster father who took advantage of her, and that none of this was her fault.

Her emotional healing continues.