this case has been on my mind non stop the last few hours. i really fear for this child in the future if nobody steps in to help her deal with this. girls that are abused often become over sexual in their teens due to the abuse. they begin to feel that sex is what they have to offer. they are treated as a sex object in their formative years and grow up thinking that is all they are worth. they feel they have nothing to offer men but their bodies. this can lead to more guilt and shame. children that are sexually abused are more likely to turn to drugs or alcohol. girls often end up with abusive men because they feel the deserve it because they are tainted in some way. the abuse is not gone just because he was arrested. it will live on in her for years. even if she becomes a true survivor and not just someone who learns to exist despite the pain it will always affect her life. her bond with others in her life is affected by the betrayal of trust at such a young age.
now add to this her family's reaction. they discount her abuse and protect her abuser. imo that will reinforce the feeling that she is the one to take the blame. not only did this man label her nothing but a object for sex but her family's actions imply that is true. if she had value as a person and not a object they would try to protect her not him. their belief that it is not a real problem will force her to keep her conflicted feeling inside. if they are left in control of this child's future they may do as much damage to her as he has done.
now add to this her family's reaction. they discount her abuse and protect her abuser. imo that will reinforce the feeling that she is the one to take the blame. not only did this man label her nothing but a object for sex but her family's actions imply that is true. if she had value as a person and not a object they would try to protect her not him. their belief that it is not a real problem will force her to keep her conflicted feeling inside. if they are left in control of this child's future they may do as much damage to her as he has done.