Actress and political activist Khushbu recently revealed that her father sexually abused her from the age of eight to 15.
Actress and political activist Khushbu recently revealed that her father sexually abused her from the age of eight to 15. Khushbu says that children need to open up about the abuse they face, but in most cases, they don’t.
“I think kids need to open up. But the main fear that holds them back from it is the questions that the society will ask them. What did she do to provoke men, what did you wear, was she friendly to the tormentor? Children have to face such questions. “Moreover, most of these child abuses happen from family members or people the children know directly,” Khushbu told The Indian Express.
Khushbu, who was recently appointed as a member of the National Commission for Women, opened up about her childhood experiences during an interview given to an online news portal. Khushbu opened up that she was sexually molested at the age of eight but kept silent till the age of 15. After that, the family severed all ties with his father, says Khushbu. Khushbu told The Indian Express that opening up about the abuse she faced was not a planned one, but she was happy to speak out after a childhood spent fearing the consequences.
“When I was exposed to it as a child, I also had responsibilities. I had to worry about my siblings and my mother. Like any other stalker, my father threatened me with consequences if I told others about it. He used to threaten me to harm my mother and three brothers. That is often what happens with child abuse. Children remain silent for fear of consequences. Abusers continue to abuse children. If there were strict laws like POCSO then, I would have taken my father to court. “
Khushbu also revealed that many people called her after she opened up about the sexual abuse she had to suffer during her childhood. “The number of phone calls I have received over the past few days from acquaintances and strangers alike has been unbelievable. They all tell me that one day they will have the courage to open up.”
Khushbu now lives with her mother, who is battling dementia. Khushbu’s father passed away last year in Mumbai.