Case Study- Jack

Jack is four years old.  He lives with his mum, Ruth and younger sister, Sally.  Ruth works long hours and Jack attends your nursery.  Jack’s dad lives some distance away and the children stay with him during the school holidays, which they love.

Recently Jack has become very unsettled and cries without apparent reason.  He clings to his mum when she drops him off and makes her promise that it will be her that picks him up from after school club. You’ve noticed that when an adult goes anywhere near him he withdraws

Ruth has recently told you that she thinks Jack is jealous of her new girlfriend, Jenny.  She thinks this is the reason for the change in his behaviour.

Today Jenny brought Jack to school.  He ran into school and didn’t say goodbye or look back at her.  He told you that Jenny is rude and nasty.  Later, when Jack was playing, you observe him touch a male doll in the genital area saying to the doll “It’s our little secret”.