Former Bollywood actress Somy Ali, who started her career at the age of 16 and later became famous as Salman Khan’s girlfriend, has now written an autobiography where she says that she was sexually abused when she was five years old.Mid-Day quotes Ali as saying; “I was sexually assaulted by a house-help when I was just five. When I am invited for a talk at high schools and universities in the US, I share this with the students. I believe sharing my personal experiences would encourage others to speak out and not be ashamed about being a victim.”Somy Ali, who now works with sexual abuse victims, says while growing up she had seen many of her mother’s friends being abused. According to her statement, “I grew up amidst an atmosphere of domestic violence in Pakistan and many of my mom’s friends were victims of physical abuse as well. When I would ask my mom about the bruises on their bodies, I was always told that X aunty or Y aunty fell down the stairs. This was the standard, universal euphemism for physical abuse.”Ali had first wanted to move to India after watching Salman Khan’s film Maine Pyar Kiya. She had a crush on the actor, and even ended up dating him.
