I have a lot of personal experience with self-harm and suicidal thoughts, so I'm watching for the signs...after talking with her extensively, I'm almost positive that she's no longer suicidal, just really depressed (of course, she could also be a good actress, and I don't live with her, so I'm making the best judgment I can as someone who isn't a part of her family...)
Sigh. This whole situation sucks. I wish I could be more of a help, but unless her foster mother lets me, I'm relegated to the sidelines. I'm trying to do everything I can from my end.
You might try some of the writings by Walter and/or Ingrid Trobisch ... they wrote a lot to young people in Africa about love and sexuality and marriage and such. There are a wide variety of books ... I wouldn't know exactly which one to recommend.
Actually, I Married You might be a good one ... yeah, that sounds unusual, but one of the characters in the story is a woman who finds herself caught in a loveless, abusive relationship, and has to deal with the self-esteem problems that result.
Given that she's 13 and he's "quite a bit older," his having sex with her may be considered rape, as she's below the age of consent.
You'll have to look up the exact laws in your state (especially if the other youth is also a minor... whether it's rape depends on the laws and the age differences), but a 13 year old being pressured into sex by an older person makes my hackles rise.
First of all, I'll be praying. I'm so, so sorry she has to go through this.
I recommend "Do You Think I'm Beautiful?" by Angela Thomas. Really powerful book even if it's more about your feeling of self-worth than sexual purity.
That poor girl :( I'm glad you're able to be there for her.
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Gomer and Hosea, and God's forgiveness from sexual sin:
http://www.randomhouse.com/waterbrook/catalog/display.pperl?isbn=9781601420619
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I have a lot of personal experience with self-harm and suicidal thoughts, so I'm watching for the signs...after talking with her extensively, I'm almost positive that she's no longer suicidal, just really depressed (of course, she could also be a good actress, and I don't live with her, so I'm making the best judgment I can as someone who isn't a part of her family...)
Sigh. This whole situation sucks. I wish I could be more of a help, but unless her foster mother lets me, I'm relegated to the sidelines. I'm trying to do everything I can from my end.
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Actually, I Married You might be a good one ... yeah, that sounds unusual, but one of the characters in the story is a woman who finds herself caught in a loveless, abusive relationship, and has to deal with the self-esteem problems that result.
But your mileage may vary; please read it first.
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Given that she's 13 and he's "quite a bit older," his having sex with her may be considered rape, as she's below the age of consent.
You'll have to look up the exact laws in your state (especially if the other youth is also a minor... whether it's rape depends on the laws and the age differences), but a 13 year old being pressured into sex by an older person makes my hackles rise.
If the other youth is over 18, call the police.
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First of all, I'll be praying. I'm so, so sorry she has to go through this.
I recommend "Do You Think I'm Beautiful?" by Angela Thomas. Really powerful book even if it's more about your feeling of self-worth than sexual purity.
That poor girl :( I'm glad you're able to be there for her.
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