Ep 216: Hey, it’s Pallavi. We’re doing things a little different this week at WAFF. What you’re going to hear in this week’s episode is my personal story and experience with sexual assault. So as much as we appreciate and adore you, our listeners, for your continued support, please proceed with caution as the details we discuss may be triggering.

I used a lot of tools to get me to this point of talking about it openly. Therapy, counseling, meditation, massage, acupuncture, exercise, you name it. But the most powerful tool….the thing that got me to this moment was talking about it with my friends and my husband. My chosen family. Which then gave me the courage to talk to my given family. And that gave me the courage to record this episode with my dear friends Gabrielle Ruiz and Poorna Jagannathan, who is our guestfriend this week.

The biggest lesson I’ve learned in the 20 years that I’ve kept this secret, is that this is not my burden to bear. And what happened to me is not my fault. But I wasn’t going to get through it without asking for and seeking help, both professionally and communally. So if my story resonates with you, please know that you are not alone. It’s ok to need help. It’s more than ok and vital to seek the help of a mental health professional. And asking your friends and family for support and safety, is imperative. It's everything.

To find help and resources or to take action on ending sexual violence and rape culture, visit http://www.joyfulheartfoundation.org/learn.

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