Provide Counseling & Support to Sexually Abused

Background

In July, the HUG Project, in collaboration with the Nakhon Ratchasima Provincial Office of Social Development and Human Security, responded to a case involving a girl who had been sexually exploited by her stepfather. The abuse involved secretly recording images of the child while she was bathing. The incident was discovered by the mother, who found the images on her husband’s mobile phone.

Intervention

Upon receiving the report, HUG Project’s social worker acted immediately to:

• Conduct fact-finding and assess the circumstances of the case.
• Collect key evidence, as both the girl and her mother expressed their intention to pursue legal action.
• Provide emergency psychosocial support to both the victim and her mother.

During the assessment, the mother showed visible signs of panic, anxiety, and stress as she faced the reality of pursuing justice against a family member. The girl, deeply affected, began taking sleeping pills due to excessive worry, nightmares, and inability to rest. Her demeanor shifted from cheerful and outgoing to withdrawn and isolated.

Support Provided:

HUG Project’s social worker offered comprehensive counseling and guidance, including:

• Referral to a hospital psychiatrist for psychological evaluation and treatment for both mother and daughter.
• Counseling for the mother on communication, emotional support, and resilience-building within the family.
• Guidance on self-care, stress management, and family planning for daily routines after the incident.
• Legal counseling to prepare the family for the judicial process.
• Continuous follow-up, emotional support, and regular check-ins.

The mother, who had previously worked in another province, was supported in relocating and finding work locally to remain with her daughter and ensure the family’s safety.

Statistics (2025)

In 2025, HUG Project provided a total of 51 counseling sessions to this family and others in similar circumstances, delivered through multiple modalities to ensure accessibility and continuous care:

• 18 face-to-face sessions
• 15 online sessions
• 18 telephone calls

 This multi-modal approach ensured consistent follow-up, flexible communication, and tailored psychosocial care based on the family’s needs.

Impact and Outcomes

• The victim and her mother are now receiving psychiatric care and ongoing social work support.
• Both have gradually begun to adjust, showing improved coping skills and resilience.
• The family has relocated for safety, and the mother has prioritized full-time care for her daughter.
• The interventions provided reassurance, reduced isolation, and gave the family a sense of stability and hope.

Conclusion

This case illustrates the critical role of HUG Project and its partners in responding swiftly and compassionately to cases of child sexual exploitation. Through counseling, legal guidance, and continuous psychosocial support, the victim and her family are on a path toward recovery and reintegration into daily life.

Acknowledgment

HUG Project extends our heartfelt thanks to our donors for their generous support. Your contributions make it possible for us to respond rapidly to urgent cases, provide life-saving psychosocial interventions, and accompany families through the long journey of healing and justice. Together, we are building safer, more supportive communities for children and families.