Rosie's story

When Rosie was younger, she was the kind of girl who'd make any parent proud. She was a shining light at school and did very well in all her subjects.

"She was trustworthy and gentle," said her teacher, "She had lots of friends and always helped other children with their problems."

But Rosie's behaviour started to change. And her teachers started to worry. Rosie became withdrawn and miserable. Her schoolwork started to suffer,

"At playtime, I used to sit by the wall on my own," she says. "I didn't want to play with my friends anymore."

Then one day, when she was getting changed for P.E., a teacher saw a big bruise on Rosie's leg. Her teacher said it looked sore.

Rosie started to cry. "It is sore," she said."My mum did it." The school told social services and the police what was happening.

And Rosie's story turned out to be more complicated than first thought. Rosie was being sexually abused by her brother.

"He said it was our special secret, and if I told anyone they would send me to a home for naughty rude girls and no-one would love me."

But Rosie was brave. So she told her mum. But her mum didn't believe her. She got very angry and started to beat Rosie.

Rosie still suffers with the memory of her abuse - both by her mum and by her brother. She comes to an NSPCC Therapeutic Centre, where we are trying to give her all the help she needs.

Thank you

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