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You and your mum
“ Let ’ s also draw your school . Do you want to include anyone special in the picture ?”
School
Out with friends
“ When mum is at work , you go to your granny ’ s house . Let ’ s draw you and granny .” “ And sometimes your uncle visits granny ’ s house when she is out .”
HELP AND ACTION
“ You told your mum that uncle touched you in an unpleasant way , but she thought you just made it up . Is that right ?”
“ Then you made a drawing at your school that made your teacher wonder if someone had touched you where they shouldn ’ t . But you said no . Is that what happened ?”
“ But the teacher feels you have changed since then and you seem to have trouble sleeping , you get nightmares and wake up . Is that so ?”
“ You know , when children get nightmares and seem more scared , most of the time it is because they have experienced something unpleasant that has frightened them .”
“ We can be here together , we can play and talk , and if you like we can find out what might have frightened you and given you nightmares , and stop them happening again .”
Perhaps Maria may start to tell you about her uncle and the abuse ; or perhaps she will not . Drawing the life line gives her space to talk , but the aim is also to let her see that you know her story , and to start the process of linking events and reactions .