This is the tale of Somy Ali, a Bollywood actress turned social crusader who had joined the film industry in the hope of meeting and marrying actor, Salman Khan. She was 16 and was on a voyage to be with the actor. Fast forward and the duo dated each other for around eight years. However, Somy went back to Florida when they called it quits in 2000.
Somy is way past an ex-flame is now a Messiah to hundreds of women who have been abused in and out of the States. Her organisation, No More Tears, has helped a lot of women get over their ordeals.
Somy who hails from Pakistan revealed how she grew up in an environment where women faced domestic violence. According to Pinkvilla, she said, “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.”
She further shared her horrific encounter of sexual abuse when was just five years old, the actress said, “I was sexually assaulted by a house-help when I was just five. When I am invited for a talk at high schools and universities in the US, I share this with the students. I believe sharing my personal experiences would encourage others to speak out and not be ashamed about being a victim.”
She 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.”
