She (young girl from left) should have been enjoying her life as a teenager but got separated from her family because of a problem too heavy for her to bear. I had a chance of meeting this girl at a half-way center for abused kids. At first, I had qualms asking her too many questions for fear that it might trigger sad memories. But this girl was brave enough to share more than what I was looking for. She shared details of what she went through in the hands of the very people who should be providing love and care inside the home.
I’ve heard a lot of heartbreaking stories from people I have interviewed in the past but nothing compares to the story of this girl. I was deeply moved and cried with her as she recalls her harrowing experience.
The center where she was placed after she was rescued has helped her slowly heal from psychological and emotional trauma.
This was part of a series of feature articles I wrote for People’s Tonight.