October 24th 2024.
Nikita Kanda, a well-known BBC presenter and former contestant on Strictly Come Dancing, recently opened up about her personal experience surviving years of mental and physical abuse. She was inspired to share her story after witnessing her own mother endure the same mistreatment.
In a heartfelt social media post, the 29-year-old explained that she felt a sense of duty to use her platform and speak out against the alarming epidemic of violence against women and girls in the UK. Nikita specifically highlighted the struggles faced by women in the Asian community, who often feel pressure to remain silent about abuse in their households.
"Sharing something quite personal on here today," she began on Instagram. "It's something I've kept out of the public eye and even away from most people that know me, friends, colleagues, and followers. But I feel a sense of duty to use my platform and use something negative that happened in my life for hopefully a positive change."
Nikita emphasized the urgent need to put an end to the violence, stating that 2-3 women die every week as a result. She then bravely revealed that she herself had been a victim of abuse, growing up in a violent environment and experiencing physical and mental trauma for years.
"The trauma of watching the abuse happen severely to my incredible mum and then experiencing it myself is something I never thought I would get through," she shared. "It's something that changes you forever, how you view the world, and it doesn't ever leave you no matter how much you try to forget."
As a survivor, Nikita never wanted any woman, child, or mother to go through what she and her family endured. She acknowledged that in the Asian community, there is a cultural stigma against discussing these issues and urged for more open and honest conversations to break the cycle of violence.
Encouraging her followers to support the work of @refugecharity, Nikita reminded them that they are not alone and that she understands their pain. She concluded her post with a heartfelt thank you for listening.
In an interview with The Independent, Nikita shared that she was "locked away in a little room" as a child by her abuser. The violence left her with lasting emotional and psychological scars, causing confusion and anger.
"It mentally scars and traumatises you," she explained. "I still get flashbacks now. Sometimes you think you are OK and then sometimes it just randomly pops back into your head."
Nikita also expressed concern for her friends in the Asian community who remain in abusive relationships out of fear of judgment from their peers. She urged others to be vigilant and pay attention to any signs of abuse, as many women may not speak out about their suffering.
Last year, the UK government recognized violence against women and girls as a national threat. According to Refuge, a domestic abuse-related call is made to the police every 30 seconds, and one in four women in England and Wales will experience domestic abuse in their lifetime. Tragically, one woman is killed by her abuser every five days in England and Wales.
If you or someone you know is experiencing abuse, please reach out for help. You can call Refuge's 24-hour National Domestic Abuse Helpline at 0808 2000 247 or visit http://www.nationaldahelpline.org.uk. Nikita hopes that by sharing her story, she can help bring awareness and support to those who need it most.
As she continues to use her platform for good, Nikita reminds us all to keep an eye out for our friends and loved ones, to listen and believe them when they speak out, and to take a stand against the violence that affects so many.
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