Matt, a ChildLine volunteer counsellor, reveals the dilemma he facedtrying to balance the child's wishes against the need to protect herfrom harm.
A 14-year-old girl called the helpline in the early evening. She saidshe'd run away a few days earlier and although she'd been staying withher friend she was now alone on the streets. She told me that herstep-father was physically and sexually abusing her and that her mumknew what was happening but was too scared to intervene. She didn't wantus to contact the police or social services, and asked us to call hermum to let her know where she was. At this point she said she had tohang up.
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