Page 23 - Chupi-Todo
P. 23
Kya hum ladkiyon ko khush rehne ka, hasne ka, ya bina kisi darr ke jeena ka haq
nahi hai? Maine apni zindagi ki sachchai aaj baati hai, yeh vishwas aur asha ke
saath ki meri beti bina darr ke, bahar ki duniya mein kadam rakh paye.
-Janki
I was abused for 11 years, between the ages of 3 to 14, by my cousins at my own
home. I thought that it was my fault. I never told anyone—not my parents, friends,
siblings or husband. I could never trust anyone. I thought I was the only one going
through this. As I grew up, I could not travel, pray or sleep. I was living under
constant guilt and tension until the age of 40.
I also thought that it only happened to girls and thus, I always envied boys for being
so spirited and free. After watching your episode, I realised that there is no gender
difference when it comes to child sexual abuse. I want to assure everyone that it
is not our fault. We should say no without any fear. All abusers want to show their
power on the victim. They want to show their superiority. I know now that the ones
who abused me are scared of looking in my eyes today.
-Prerana
Guilt is corrosive. It provokes unwarranted self-blame and
depressive thoughts. Don’t feel guilty about not being able to stop
the abuse or protect your siblings. Remember that abuse is never
your fault—no matter how old you were or how long the abuse
went on. When you were abused, the person abusing you wielded
power; physically and emotionally.
CHUPPI TODO! | 21
nahi hai? Maine apni zindagi ki sachchai aaj baati hai, yeh vishwas aur asha ke
saath ki meri beti bina darr ke, bahar ki duniya mein kadam rakh paye.
-Janki
I was abused for 11 years, between the ages of 3 to 14, by my cousins at my own
home. I thought that it was my fault. I never told anyone—not my parents, friends,
siblings or husband. I could never trust anyone. I thought I was the only one going
through this. As I grew up, I could not travel, pray or sleep. I was living under
constant guilt and tension until the age of 40.
I also thought that it only happened to girls and thus, I always envied boys for being
so spirited and free. After watching your episode, I realised that there is no gender
difference when it comes to child sexual abuse. I want to assure everyone that it
is not our fault. We should say no without any fear. All abusers want to show their
power on the victim. They want to show their superiority. I know now that the ones
who abused me are scared of looking in my eyes today.
-Prerana
Guilt is corrosive. It provokes unwarranted self-blame and
depressive thoughts. Don’t feel guilty about not being able to stop
the abuse or protect your siblings. Remember that abuse is never
your fault—no matter how old you were or how long the abuse
went on. When you were abused, the person abusing you wielded
power; physically and emotionally.
CHUPPI TODO! | 21
