I also posted this in the teenage section but haven't had any responses so am posting here too.
My 12 year old daughter told me today that her best friend (also a girl, 13 yo) confided that she'd 'had sex' at 8 years old with her 8 year old friend (a boy).
My DD is the first person she's ever told. The way she told my DD made her feel like it was definitely not a case of mutual curiosity. This girl felt she had to agree. Of course, no 8 year old can give consent so that's not really the point.
My DD of course has sworn me to secrecy and is adamant that I can't tell this girl's parents.
Obviously I have to. I feel this poor girl needs support and help and this was child on child sexual abuse. The boy, wherever he is now, does too.
How do I go about this? What would you do? It's taken nearly 5 years for this girl to tell someone. I don't want to go in all guns blazing but equally I can't not do something.
I've suggested my daughter talks more to her friend about this and try and convince her to tell her parents. But I think it's unlikely she will. Should I try to talk to the girl? Or just go straight to her parents and say that I heard something that concerns me and please could they try and get their daughter to open up to them?