Case Study

The 15-year-old girl resides with her mother and younger siblings. The family faces financial challenges, relying solely on welfare support. The children’s father is absent and uninvolved in supporting their needs. BACKGROUND The girl was sexually abuse by her stepfather, resulting in an unintended pregnancy. The mother became aware of the situation when the child fell ill and she took her to the hospital, where the pregnancy was confirmed at three months. The mother insisted on an abortion, leading to the case being reported and the stepfather’s subsequent arrest without bail. PRESENTING PROBLEM The girl received counselling sessions at the Teddy Bear Foundation. She harboured intense anger toward her stepfather and grappled with guilt from the abortion. Emotional assessments were conducted, and coping strategies were explored. The girl found solace in expressing her anger during this process and began maintaining a diary to aid in developing coping mechanisms. INTERVENTION Over time, the girl's well-being improved, and she performed well in school. Writing became a healing outlet, boosting her self-esteem.