Late one night, Roy received a call on the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline from Catherine. At just 12 years old, Catherine was feeling suicidal and felt like the world would be better off without her. In asking questions about what had led her to this point, Roy learned that Catherine had experienced a very traumatic weekend.
On Friday night, Catherine had been excited to be spending the night at her best friend’s house. While the friend’s parents were out running errands, Catherine and her friend decided to go swimming. After a couple hours in the pool, Catherine headed inside to shower. It was while she was in the bathroom that her friend’s 19-year-old brother came in, trapping her in the room before raping and assaulting her. The brother threatened to hurt her and his sister if Catherine told anyone about what had happened.
Catherine was terrified from his threat, so she didn’t say anything to her friend, her friend’s parents, or her mother when she returned home. She blamed herself for the sexual assault, and because of this she thought it would be better if she were dead. Catherine was hysterical when she first called, but through active listening, validation, reflection, and support, Roy was able to calm her down enough to build an action plan. While remaining on the phone with Catherine, Roy supported her as she told her mother what had happened to her that weekend. When Catherine was finished, Roy spoke directly with her mother so he could provide information on reporting the assault and getting an exam for Catherine.
Catherine and her mother went to Mary Lee’s House to receive additional resources so that she could begin her journey to healing. Thanks to the support of donors, we’re able to ensure that staff are available to answer calls from clients like Catherine, and that Catherine can get the immediate healing and support she needs.
