Covering her face with her light-brown hair like a protective veil, the little girl looked up at me with her big blue eyes and flashed me a shy and wary smile. Her clothes looked worn and dirty and she was tightly clutching a bin bag full of her worldly possessions – just a few pairs of knickers, an old, moth-eaten teddy bear, a summer dress, and her school uniform.
Hiding behind the social worker’s legs, she was like a tiny little bird, timid and afraid – a quiet little sparrow of a girl. Little Stella*, of primary school age, was one of a handful of foster children me and my husband, Lloyd, were caring for in our home. Along with our own two children, Jackson and Vincent, our household was a sometimes chaotic but happy place, where we welcomed a steady stream of frightened and often traumatised children through our doors.
It hadn’t always been easy as each child had unique needs and sometimes challenging behaviours. That night, I carefully brushed Stella’s long, tangled hair and watched as she stared at me suspiciously while I tucked her into bed. I realised it was going to take a lot of patience to get her to trust me.
And who could blame her, because her social worker had told me they suspected she had experienced some kind of sexual abuse, although they didn’t know to what extent. And, sadly, while I wondered how anyone could ever hurt such a defenceless little girl, it didn’t shock me, either, because many of the children I’d taken in had experienced abuse.
Besides, I knew exactly what it felt like to be neglected and mistreated. My mum was a teenage parent, and at six weeks old I was taken away by social services, spending much of my own childhood in foster care.
Feeling frightened
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der June 01, 2020-Ausgabe von WOMAN'S OWN.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent ? Anmelden
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der June 01, 2020-Ausgabe von WOMAN'S OWN.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent? Anmelden
MIND OF MY OWN
The Woman's Own columnist has her say on cooked brealdfasts, divorce and cleaning
GOING SOLO
Claire Waite Brown, 52, hadn't travelled alone for over 30 years
The rise of DUCHESS SOPHIE
The Duchess of Edinburgh has transformed from PR girl into the Royal Family’s secret weapon’
EXPLORE THE SURREY HILLS
For great walks with spectacular views, this green oasis is a welcome retreat
THE TRUE COST OF ACID ATTACKS
After the number of chemical assaults making headlines this year, Woman’s Own investigates the devastating impact on victims
LOW-CAL FAKEAWAYS
Healthier fast-food favourites, all under 405 calories per serving
'CANCER WON'T RUIN MY WEDDING'
Just weeks before her big day, Charlotte Nash-Pye, 36, found a lump in her breast
HE WENT ON A NIGHT OUT, AND NEVER CAME BACK
Safina Powell will never know the truth about what happened to her son
I'M 64 AND I'VE NEVER HAD AN ORGASM
Despite being happily married for over 30 years, Carole Baker never truly enjoyed sex
'IT'S A NIGHTMARE'
Coleen Nolan on why stress is causing her to have a 'meltdown'