A concerned caller contacted Childline KZN after learning that a young girl had allegedly been sexually and emotionally abused by her maternal grandfather over a prolonged period. The caller reported that the child’s mother and grandmother were aware of what was happening but had failed to protect her.
What made the situation even more heartbreaking was that the child had stopped attending school because she was being laughed at by other children when she spoke about what had happened to her. The caller was deeply concerned for her safety and urgently reached out to Childline KZN.
Our counsellor listened carefully, gathered the necessary information and immediately referred the matter to the relevant social workers and police. The counsellor continued to follow up on the case.
The child was subsequently removed from the unsafe environment and placed under the care and protection of a social worker. The grandfather was arrested.
For this child, the call meant that someone finally listened, took her situation seriously and helped put her safety first.