An incredible testament to the strength of the human spirit, X, a 12-year-old girl, has picked up more pieces than most could imagine. Today X identifies and expresses her emotions better than most adults, she is reconnecting with her once-abandoned school work, and continues to display an inspiring attitude towards herself and her life.

It was only when 12-year-old X became pregnant that the repeated rapes she endured by a 25-year-old tenant came to light. X was brought to the Foundation by the Hillbrow Clinic. When we first saw her in our trauma debriefing, X was flooded with guilt, embarrassment, and shame, and her only mode of expression at the time came in the form of intense emotional outbursts.

In our ongoing work with X, we continue to build her self-esteem, to help her identify her emotions, and consistently reinforce the message that none of this is her fault, including the termination of her pregnancy. As the alleged perpetrator has been arrested, we’re encouraging her into our Court Preparation and Support programme.