Elliot's story
6-year-old Elliot only knew fear and violence. He was burned, beaten and starved by his family.
His parents were always screaming and hitting each other in drug-fuelled rages and would turn their anger on Elliot, viciously beating him when he tried to make it stop. He was often left home alone for hours, starved with nothing to eat but mouldy scraps and dog biscuits.
It wasn’t until Elliot started kindergarten that his school began noticing red flags and contacted government child protection authorities.
What they found shocked them. Elliot’s arm had been broken more than once and he was covered in scars and bruises. He was also hiding an excruciating third-degree burn on his arm, from his dad holding him against a blistering heater.
Elliot was immediately taken into our care and placed with experienced foster carers.
He was incredibly anxious and untrusting of adults, lashing out whenever he felt angry or scared. Elliot craved control over his life and would compulsively clean, wearing his fingernails down until they hurt. This led to a diagnosis of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder.
When a child like Elliot comes into our care, it’s critical they receive immediate support so they can begin to heal from the devastating effects of trauma.
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*Models used and names changed to protect privacy.