Mumbai: October is recognized as Domestic Violence Awareness Month, highlighting the ongoing struggles faced by survivors globally. Somy Ali, an actress-turned-activist who leads the U.S.-based NGO *No More Tears*, asserts that while awareness has increased, there is still significant work to be done, particularly in India. “Fish rots from the head. This idiom encapsulates the rule of law in every country,” she states. “Awareness has evolved from whispered secrets to global protests, driven by MeToo and the voices of survivors. In India, the PWDVA is a step forward, yet Bollywood’s fixers continue to silence victims.
Stigma persists, and corruption within law enforcement and the judiciary must be eradicated for India to emerge as a superpower founded on truth, not cover-ups.” Somy established *No More Tears* in 2007, and the NGO has since aided over 50,000 survivors of domestic violence and human trafficking. The organization offers immediate support, including safe housing, medical care, legal aid, and therapy. Many cases involve international domestic violence, frequently concerning foreign brides trapped in abusive situations abroad. The NGO’s Discovery+ series *Fight or Flight* brought attention to these harsh realities and facilitated direct interventions, such as rescuing trafficked girls from airports.
Somy recalls poignant stories that reinforce her mission—like a Punjabi man who once faced beheading for being gay and now lives freely, a Jordanian survivor who was denied education by her abuser and later earned a PhD in pharmaceutical sciences, and a 19-year-old girl from Delhi rescued from trafficking. The memory of her calling her mother and hearing her sob in relief, saying, “Meri bachi zinda hai,” is forever imprinted in Somy’s heart. No More Tears is listed in the U.S. national NGO registry for human trafficking and works alongside the Miami Police Department, the FBI, and NGOs in India to safeguard survivors and assist them legally.
The NGO aids victims in obtaining restraining orders, filing police reports, and seeking justice. Partnerships with airlines, including Air India, have been crucial for ensuring the safe return of trafficked girls to their families. Somy is resolute in her opposition to what she describes as “fixers” who protect abusers and hinder accountability, emphasizing that true justice necessitates systemic transparency. For her, hope is found in the resilience of survivors who restore their lives against all odds. She acknowledges that the work is emotionally taxing but asserts that her own experiences of abuse fuel her determination. “Hope is evident in the victories of survivors, like a trafficked girl now living independently.
My motivation is rooted in my own scars from abuse; silence equals complicity,” she asserts. Looking to the future, she is set to launch her talk show, The Uncomfortable Conversation, which aims to tackle issues often overlooked by society. “The Universe calls for accountability through No More Tears. From my Lokhandwala origins to global advocacy, I’m driving towards a corruption-free future for India,” she states. As the world commemorates Domestic Violence Awareness Month, Somy Ali’s message resonates with urgency. For her, awareness alone is insufficient—action, accountability, and courage are essential for genuine change.