Kalki Koechlin: I Was Sexually Abused As A Child
t is a sorry state of affairs today in this country, indeed. More and more people are coming forward today, with grisly stories of child sexual abuse, and latest among them is Bollywood star and vociferous human rights activist Kalki Koechlin.

It is heartening, however, to see people opening up about the abuse they've faced, and not shying away from the perceived social stigma attached to doing so. For only when people speak out, does awareness come about, and when awareness comes about, comes the dialogue on how to stop such crimes from being perpetrated.

At a press conference organised by fellow actor Rahul Bose's NGO H.E.A.L, Kalki opened up about the abuse she faced as a child. She said, "I can't think of anyone today, who has not gone through some form of sexual abuse. It's an issue that's brushed under the carpet in our country, and hasn't been addressed for years."

Kalki added: "On the one hand, it is the problem of the law. The Act was passed only very recently, in 2012, no small thanks to Rahul Bose and your H.E.A.L. foundation, which was involved in drafting the manifesto. But it's also a social problem."

"For me personally, (I've faced it), growing up as a woman in India," Kalki continued, "and growing up as a white woman in India. There have been issues of confused sexuality at a very young age, and of abuse."

We salute Kalki for her endeavours to open up a dialogue around the conceived social stigma attached to child sexual abuse, and we strongly urge people, and women especially, not to take any form of abuse in a light manner.

Molestation is a serious offence, and shouldn't be viewed under the rose-tint of "eve teasing". One must endeavour to bring the criminals to book, for perpetrating such heinous crimes.