It took me a long time to say NO; but saying no was one of the most liberating moments in my life after so many years.
The ‘Uncommon’ Common Narrative Of Male Sex Abuse | Feminism In India
As I began understanding what I was put through, I began distancing myself from my abuser. And I finally had the courage to open up to my parents at 19. They were upset and cried, and were apologetic for not being there for me. The next biggest leap of courage was standing up to my abuser. That day he had told me “Kar de meri khushi keliye” (Do it for my happiness). I have lost count of the number of times he had uttered those words and could no longer bear to hear it. I said NO. I was repelled by the face of the rapist I was looking at.
The ‘Uncommon’ Common Narrative Of Male Sex Abuse | Feminism In India
It took me a long time to say NO; but saying no was one of the most liberating moments in my life after so many years. The word NO has more power than we presume and I hope, we all find in ourselves the strength to say it more often. This is not just a individual process but also a systemic one, given how the emphasis on sex education in schools and in open discussions with parents will help children be more assertive in drawing the boundaries to their personal space.