KARACHI – Filmmaker Jami on Sunday said that he had been a very strong supporter of the movement against sexual harassment because he had been raped by a big name of the Pakistani media industry years back.
In a series of posts on the social networking platform Twitter, the film director broke his silence on the traumas of his past, recalling how harassers get away with rape and sexual violence.
“Why I am so strongly supporting #MeToo?” Jami said. “Because, I know exactly how it happens now – inside a room, then outside courts and inside courts. How a survivor hides, confides…”
https://twitter.com/jamiazaad/status/1185980753584316418?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.geo.tv%2Flatest%2F252036-filmmaker-jami-reveals-he-was-raped-by
He elaborated that he was brutally raped by a very powerful person in the media world. “A giant actually and yes I’m taller than him,” the film-maker said, apparently identifying the rapist.
“I froze not sure why yesss it really happens and happened to me. Till this day 13 years ve passed i curse myself why i didnt take his eyes out but i was so close to this guy a friend, doing his mega shoots for his mega high end books and museum launches etc maybe that’s why my system shut down,” Jami wrote.
https://twitter.com/jamiazaad/status/1185980758638379008?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.geo.tv%2Flatest%2F252036-filmmaker-jami-reveals-he-was-raped-by
https://twitter.com/jamiazaad/status/1185980760920076292
https://twitter.com/jamiazaad/status/1185980763084337152
Jami said that he had gone to a doctor at a famous hospital in Karachi and took medication to get over the incident, but it was difficult and he even left Pakistan for some time.
“I spent 6 or so month in agha khan with a therapist and the usual pills zanax…and then i left pk for few months to reboot. He came to my Fathers funeral also and instead of crying for Papa (who got to know before dying that im destroyed) i was hiding inside my own home telling Mother who was also busy with her pain to run out and stop him from coming in.”
https://en.dailypakistan.com.pk/lifestyle/jami-calls-out-celebs-who-supported-mohsin-abbas-haiders-wife/?preview=true
The film-maker shared how his personality has changed in a few months and he vowed to stand up for every victim coming forward with their stories of sexual harassment.
The film-maker added that he could not retaliate despite having strong posture, that his system just shut down, and he let the rapist have his way because he was powerful.
The famous director said that the rapist had also come to the funeral of his father, and despite his objections, he could not stop him. He also said that he cannot pluck up the courage to name the rapist, even today.
Jami maintained that he was writing this now because the movement against harassment was under attack and he was ready to partially vomit out his own experience.
Talking about a recent case of a college professor committing suicide on alleged claims of harassment, Jami remarked that one wrongful death did not mean all victims were fake and liars.
The director even said that he knew the consequences of his revelations but it was important for him to share since the legitimacy of the movement was being questioned.
“i know its a suicide what im writing right now but this is important before they harm the movement. I know now they all will attack me also,” he concluded.
https://twitter.com/jamiazaad/status/1185980774643843072
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