Hollywood actress Ashley Judd who on Monday attended the World Congress Against the Sexual Exploitation of Women & Girls in Delhi, opened up about being a victim of assault as a child.
According to a report filed by India Today, Ashley not only recalled about her own horrific experience at the event but also spoke about dealing with sexual assault. “I was molested when I was seven years old. I was raped at 14, and then I was raped in 1998. It’s a miracle that I wasn’t trafficked,” she said.
Judd believes that since there are loopholes in law on violence against women across the world the only way to end harassment is to abolition of trafficking. “If us as survivors can come together, we can create change. The onus of the crime should only go to the perpetrator. And laws should give women and girls exit strategies to get out of trafficking,” she said.
While addressing the media and delegates at the event, Ashley also spoke against gender discrimination and highlighted that even US, including Hollywood, has a long way to go for gender equality. “There is a big pay gap in Hollywood, because of gender discrimination, and my life time earnings are 40 per cent less than what I should have earned, had there been pay equality in the industry.”
Judd concluded her speech by urging everyone to rise against sexual exploitation and to stand with the global movement to abolish prostitution systems.
Following that was a little dance on Punjabi Dhol.
The 2-day event organised by Apne Aap Women Worldwide and CAP International had nearly 250 representatives from over 30 countries and 5 continents.