'Should've spoken earlier...': Khushbu Sundar addresses childhood abuse by father
What's the story
Actor and politician Khushbu Sundar recently made a shocking revelation, claiming that she was sexually abused by her father when she was just eight years old.
Her revelation came in response to the Hema Committee Report, which exposed sexual assault allegations against Malayalam celebrities.
Sundar expressed regret for not speaking about her abuse sooner, sharing a detailed account on her official X (formerly Twitter) account.
Personal account
Sundar shared an emotional note on past abuse
In her online post, Sundar explained why she had remained silent about her father's abuse for so long.
She wrote, "Some ask me what took me so long to speak about my father's abuse. I agree I should have spoken earlier."
"But what happened to me, was not a compromise to build my career. I was abused at the hands of the person who was supposed to provide me the strongest arms to hold me if I fell," she wrote.
Solidarity
Sundar applauded women standing against abuse
Responding to the Hema report, Sundar praised "women who have stood their ground and emerged victorious."
"The #HemaCommittee was much needed to break the abuse. But will it? Abuse, asking for sexual favors, and expecting women to compromise to gain a foothold or accelerate their careers exist in every field. Why is a woman alone expected to go through the grind?"
"Although men too face it, it's marginally women who bear the brunt," she further added.
Family support
Sundar discussed abuse with daughters, urged speaking out
Sundar revealed that she had a detailed discussion about the issue with her 24-year-old and 21-year-old daughters.
Emphasizing the importance of speaking up, she stated, "It doesn't matter whether you speak today or tomorrow, just speak. Speaking up immediately would help in healing and investigating more effectively."
She further highlighted the fear of victim-blaming: "The victim might be a stranger to you or me, but she needs our support, an ear to listen, and emotional backing from us all."
Male support
Sundar urges men to stand with victims of abuse
Sundar also called on men to show their unwavering support for victims. She wrote, "To all the men out there, I implore you to stand by the victim and show your unwavering support."
In her concluding remarks, Sundar called for an end to exploitation. She wrote, "This should be a wake-up call to ALL. Let the exploitation stop here."
She emphasized that women should never compromise their dignity and respectability, declaring her solidarity with all who have experienced such abuse.