A young victim of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offenses (POCSO) Act arrived at the District Legal Services Authority (DLSA) office with his mother and maternal grandmother. The mother was initially fearful and frustrated, feeling overwhelmed by the repeated questioning from various
institutions. To build trust and address these concerns, the counsellor began with family counselling.

Building Trust and Understanding
In the family counselling sessions, the counsellor provided a supportive environment for the mother, who shared details about the case and her child’s behavioural changes following the incident. The victim had been withdrawn, fearful, and uncommunicative for about 10-12 days. The counsellor’s role was to alleviate the mother’s anxieties and foster a trusting relationship.

Individual Counselling and Therapeutic Engagement
During individual counselling, the victim exhibited a mix of emotions. He smiled occasionally, blushed, and spoke slowly, often using exclamatory words. He expressed feelings of boredom and irritation with the repeated visits to the police, Child Welfare Committee (CWC), and court. Recognizing these signs, the counsellor focused on building rapport by engaging the victim in discussions about his dily routine, favourite activities, family, and friends.

Therapeutic Interventions
The counsellor introduced art therapy as a means to help the victim express himself and begin the healing process. The victim created drawings of the national flag and his home, which facilitated emotional expression. Additionally, the counsellor used cartoon images to educate the victim about
“good touch” and “bad touch,” helping him understand personal safety.

Support and Family Involvement
In subsequent family counselling sessions, the counsellor emphasized the importance of a supportive home environment. Suggestions included regular walks in the park and using positive reinforcement to acknowledge the victim’s achievements. To keep the victim engaged, the counsellor conducted
interactive activities such as tic-tac-toe and simple math problems, which helped in reinforcing learning and making the sessions enjoyable.