In a deeply personal and courageous revelation, acclaimed Malayalam actress Parvathy Thiruvothu has opened up about the traumatic experiences of sexual abuse and harassment she endured from childhood into her teenage years. Speaking in a recent interview, the 'Ullozhukku' actress detailed incidents that left lasting scars, aiming to highlight a pervasive issue faced by countless women in India.
A Childhood Marred by Fear and Confusion
Parvathy recounted a disturbing incident from her early childhood at a railway station. She was standing with her parents when a man approached, struck her hard on the chest, and fled. She emphasized it was not a mere touch but a painful hit that left her shocked and confused. As a child, she couldn't comprehend the act, but the fear and mental anguish persisted for years.
She also described how her mother's lessons were shaped by this unsafe environment. Instead of teaching her daughter to dream freely, her mother instructed her to constantly be vigilant of men's hands while walking on the road. Parvathy urged the public to reflect on this grim reality where a mother's primary concern is her daughter's physical safety from predation.
The actress shared other harrowing memories from her youth, including men exposing themselves in public. "At that time, I had no idea what was happening or what they were doing," she said, noting that the full understanding of these violations and their impact on her mind and body only came much later, around ages 16 to 19.
Painful Lessons in Love and Consent
Parvathy revealed that her first innocent understanding of sexuality came from popular culture, like the iconic kissing scene in the film 'Titanic'. However, her real-world education was far more sinister. "If you ask where I really learned about these things from, honestly, it was from very bad experiences," she stated.
She pointed to a sadly common thread: "We are born, we grow up, and then we are abused. If you ask whether all girls go through such experiences, the answer is yes."
One particularly painful memory involved an assault at age 17 by someone she knew and had a crush on. The person emotionally manipulated her, normalizing the abuse by linking it to love. "This person was someone I had a crush on. He did not know what consent was," Parvathy clarified. It took her three decades to process and understand that she bore no shame for what happened.
Confronting Abuse and the Illusion of Justice
Parvathy also narrated an incident from when she was 19 or 20, where a man pressed himself against her in a lift. She reacted instantly, slapping him after they exited and confronting him. Security and police were called, but in the absence of CCTV evidence, the matter was dismissed. "The police said, 'You already hit him, now leave it.' That was when I understood what justice means in this country," she recounted.
The man later pleaded with her, citing a new job in the Gulf and an impending marriage. While some praised her for hitting back, Parvathy found no victory in it. "Having to protect yourself is not something great," she asserted, highlighting the exhausting burden of constant vigilance that women must carry.
The Path to Healing Through Therapy
Parvathy ended her powerful testimony by advocating strongly for professional help. She credited therapy with bringing significant positive change to her life. "After understanding your own body, the most important thing is therapy. Thank God, therapy brought big changes in my life. I love therapy. But finding a good therapist is not easy at all," she shared.
Her message to men was direct: "Men, please listen. You walk with your shoulders wide and full of confidence. You will never understand the condition of women." She described the relentless state of alertness, the constant adjustments of clothing, and the perpetual watchfulness that define the female experience in public spaces.
By sharing her story, Parvathy Thiruvothu has not only shed light on her personal journey of trauma and recovery but has also amplified a critical conversation about consent, systemic failure, and the urgent need for societal change to ensure women's safety and dignity.
