Counselling and sexually abused children's academic performance

A case study design was used to firstly explore the hurts which sexually abused children experience, the influence the abuse has on these children's performance and finally on how counselling can make a difference. The experiences of two primary school girls who were sexually abused by significant people in their lives are discussed and analysed. Using a qualitative approach, that is, semi structured interviewing, documentary analysis and direct observation of the research participants, the study highlights the insights of these children's hurts and the ways they have affected their performance in school. These are children who before the ordeals performed well in school.