*Trigger warning: Sexual and child abuse*
Kubbra Sait has recently penned Open Book: Not quite a Memoir in association with Harper Collins. The Sacred Games actor divulged a heartbreaking phase of her life when she endured sexual abuse at the hands of a family friend. She also revealed how she kept mum about the incident to protect her family.
Kubbra reveals she was sexually abused as a teen
While we know it’s a hard pill to swallow, we are certainly aware how common it is for victims to not come forward about the sexual abuse. But here’s why, when you have gathered your courage and found support, it is of utter importance to speak up.
Credit: Instagram/kubbrasait
In her upcoming book, Sait gives details of the sexual abuse she endured for two-and-a-half years. According to an excerpt from the book published in Times of India, the abuse was perpetrated by her ‘uncle’, referred to as ‘X’ in the book, who had grown close to her family after helping them out financially.
Her ‘uncle’ groomed Kubbra, hiding as ‘family friend’
Kubbra mentions in her book that they started frequenting his restaurant when her mother confided in X about her financial situation.
The excerpt reads, “Once, while talking to him about her financial woes, she broke down in tears. He held Mumma’s hand and said politely, ‘Mamadi main hain na? Fikar mat karo. (Mamadi, I’m here. Don’t worry.)’ And just like that, he handed her a bundle wrapped in a newspaper that contained enough money for us to find our way out of trouble.”
“When Mumma sighed at the reprieve that cash provided, I sighed too. Just then, a hand slid to the back seat of the car where I was sitting and slid up my dress. X, who was no longer my uncle, smiled as he rubbed my thigh. I was numb in that moment,” the actress mentioned.
He adds further, “He started frequenting our home, and Mumma would laugh with and cook for him. In front of her, he would kiss my cheek and say, ‘Oh my Kubrati, you’re my favourite little one’. Although uncomfortable, I kept quiet.”
Sait further revealed that she was shell-shocked and confused when X took her to a hotel.
“The kiss grew. He convinced me it was what I wanted, that it would make me feel better. He kept repeating it until I felt deafened, and then he unbuckled his trousers. I was unsure of what exactly was happening, but I remember thinking, I am losing my virginity. It was a big deal, but it was also my shameful secret.”
Kubbra finally shared the incident with her mother
Credit: Instagram/yasusait
Kubbra Sait also reveals in the book that she moved to Sharjah as soon as she got the opportunity to get away. It was only recently, more than a decade after the incident, that she shared about the sexual abuse with her mother, who apologised for it.
Kubbra’s story is a reminder for sexual abuse survivors
Credit: Instagram/kubbrasait
It is an unfortunate fact that there are enough women as well as men who can relate to Kubbra Sait’s “shell-shocked”, “confused”, and “afraid” reactions to sexual abuse.
While we understand that the initial reaction to any such condemnable act will not always be of retaliation, it is important to know that the onus of preserving relationships and preventing chaos, that could occur by confessing, does not fall on the victim.
Sexual abuse stays with you even decades after it occurs, if not addressed. While it may create a few uncomfortable conversations, it is necessary to know that mental recovery and healing begins after seeking help.
Social and lead images credit: Instagram/kubbrasait
