Each April, organizations, families, and communities around the country recognize National Child Abuse Prevention Month. The month provides a time for us to come together and remember the importance of working together to support children and families in order to prevent child abuse before it occurs.
When 10-year-old “Sarah” first came to Survivor Services, a program offered by MSPCC, she was struggling with persistent anxiety, hypervigilance, nightmares, flashbacks, and a deep difficulty trusting others. At school, she often experienced triggers, intense memories of the trauma that caused her to retreat under desks,to have bouts of crying, or too shut down entirely.
In early sessions, Sarah increased her emotional vocabulary, learning how to identify and describe her feelings. She started to recognize the accompanying physiological signs within her body and explore which relaxation strategies worked best. Age-appropriate psychoeducation about physical abuse, neglect, and the impact of trauma provided a sense of relief as she learned she wasn’t alone – other kids and survivors had similar experiences.
Sarah’s natural creativity and passion for performance became important tools in her journey. Singing and acting helped her express and process what felt too difficult to speak or write. As she performed her life story, she was able to release self-blame and realize that her reactions were natural and normal responses to abnormal experiences. Through treatment and with the support of both her biological and foster parents, she made progress at her own pace, gradually gaining mastery over her trauma.
Over time, Sarah began to notice a shift—her nightmares became less frequent, her anxiety decreased, and she started forming closer, more trusting relationships with those around her. She felt more confident in school and used her coping strategies whenever scared or triggered. While healing is an ongoing journey, Sarah graduated from treatment with new skills, greater self-awareness, and renewed excitement for the future.
*Names and identifying details have been changed for confidentiality purposes.
MSPCC’s Survivor Services provides specialized trauma-focused treatment, support, service coordination, consultation and education to child and adolescent victims of crimes and their non-offending caregivers. Service options include individual trauma treatment, therapeutic groups for youth, and caregiver education and support groups. Clinicians are trained in Attachment, Regulation and Competency (ARC) and Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT). To learn more, please visit our website.