It’s understandably difficult for a victim of gender-based violence to view the male figure as anything other than threatening, but already 15-year-old T is making strides in her healing process. As she restores her self-esteem within our therapy sessions, T is working through her cognitive distortion of boys and men so much so that she is once again connecting with all her peers, no matter their gender.

T had started displaying behavioural problems. She refused to go to school, she was withdrawing and was filled with fear. It had come out that her uncle had sexually abused her, and so she came to us through the Yeoville Police Station.

Her counselling sessions centered on behaviour-focused therapy where she was able to reframe her mindset, attitudes, and perceptions. More and more, T’s therapist is starting to see a happy child who wants to go back to school. She is currently in our Court Preparation and Support programme as her case opens.