Salman Khan’s ex-flame Somy Ali was sexually abused

Bollywood superstar Salman Khan‘s ex girlfriend actress Somy Ali has come out with an all revealing autobiography. The social worker has written about her childhood, teenage, her crush with Bollywood actor Salman Khan and most importantly about her NGO, No More Tears. Somy Ali has also revealed how she was sexually abused by her domestic help when she was a child.

Somy Ali said that she was molested as a child. “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. 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”.

Somy Ali had formed an NGO No More Tears in 2006 to help victims of abuse brought to the US from around the world. She said, “My parents are severely concerned about the dangers related to rescuing victims of human trafficking and domestic violence. I am dealing with abusers who inevitably see me in court when I accompany the victims. The risks are there when it comes to this line of work. 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. I am certain there are many men, women and children in both Pakistan and India who have been victims of sexual violence, but are afraid to speak up. The issue that we need to tackle is the re-victimisation of victims.”

So inspired was Salman Khan by Somy Ali’s work that he too set up an NGO ‘Being Human’.