Lily* spent her whole life trying to be invisible – to the bullies at school,
and to the stepdad who starved her, beat her, and sexually abused her. It didn’t work.
Last Christmas, Lily* and her older sister Jasmine* had no way to hide. There was nothing they could do to stop their
stepfather from doing appalling things to them. It’s no wonder they wanted to be invisible.
At school, too, they wanted to hide. But they couldn’t escape unwelcome attention.
Dirty and smelly, in tattered, unwashed clothes, they were stripped of all dignity, taunted and laughed at.
Lily and Jasmine were always seen when they wanted to hide – and invisible when all they
wanted was someone to protect them.
When they came into the care of Barnardos, both girls were deeply traumatised. At just 10 years old, Jasmine had
been cutting herself and talking of suicide. She and Lily will need ongoing, intensive therapy and support
to keep them safe in the years ahead.
This Christmas your urgent support is needed to help give children like Lily and Jasmine the
protection and care they desperately need.
Can you help them build trust and confidence to let themselves be seen?
Donate today
*Models used and names changed to protect privacy.