MUMBAI: As the #MeToo movement has gained momentum in India, Salman Khan’s ex-girlfriend Somy Ali recalls her sexual abuse ordeal.
The Bollywood actress turned social crusader who dated Salman for around eight long years revealed that she dealt with sexual harassment at the hands of a house help when she was just five.
Speaking to Mid-Day, Somy Ali revealed her #MeToo story. “I grew up amidst an atmosphere of domestic violence in Pakistan and many of my mom’s friends were victims of physical abuse as well. When I would ask my mom about the bruises on their bodies, I was always told that X aunty or Y aunty fell down the stairs. This was the standard, universal euphemism for physical abuse.”
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Somy also added that “There is not much one can do to escape it. My goal is to eradicate the stigma attached to being a victim of sexual and physical abuse and by sharing my personal story and stories of those NMT has rescued, I hope many others will speak out against their oppressors.”
Ali’s NGO No More Tears became a saviour for many abused women. She also starred in movies like Anth, Aao Pyaar Karen and Andolan.