A gregarious child at an early age, Maria had no trouble making friends or talking openly with her mother, Josephina. But after Maria turned six, her mom began noticing gradual changes. Many times, Josephina asked her daughter if everything was alright, but Maria always told her she was fine. Thinking her little girl was simply "growing up", Josephina didn't think much more about it. Two years later, Maria told her mother that she was being sexually abused by Josephina's live-in boyfriend.
Horrified, Josephina rushed Maria to the nearest hospital, and was referred to the CCAC. At the Center, Maria and her mother were interviewed so that the multi-disciplinary team could begin the investigation process. Maria was experiencing flashbacks and nightmares about her abuse, and was beginning to get into fights at school, which led her to be diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder. To help her cope, Maria was enrolled in group therapy.
Meanwhile, Josephina was also having a hard time dealing with her daughter being hurt by the man who she loved dearly. She began attending a parent group, where she bonded with other parents who had been in similar situations, and learned to cope. It was in this group that Maria's mother penned a letter to the offender to express her feelings and begin healing.
Today, both Maria and Josephina are beginning to recover from the impact of the abuse. During her group sessions, the other children rely on Maria's strength, encouragement and inspirational poems she reads. And soon, she'll be participating in individual therapy to continue her healing process.