I am Kristiina, a survivor of childhood violence and sexual abuse. I work as a counselor and support worker on a daily basis and am also studying social work at Tallinn University.
My biggest passion is raising awareness about violence against children and its long-term effects. At the end of 2022, I started sharing my personal story on the blog "One Child's Story" to show honestly and without embellishment the impact that violence, sexual abuse, and undetected need for help can have on a child's life.
I joined the NGO Sa Suudad because I also believe that a young person who exhibits or has exhibited risky behavior should not be seen primarily as a problem, but as a person whose behavior may be rooted in trauma, pain, fear, or unmet needs. I myself have been that child who was only labeled but whose story was never asked.
I believe that change starts with noticing, listening, and sometimes all it takes is one adult who dares to ask: "What happened to you?" This is exactly what I want to contribute to as a member of the MTÜ Sa Suudad community.