Making Changes & Taking Chances
Ekta Viiveck Verma and husband Viiveck Verma
“All my life I have been told “adjust karo beta” (just compromise) so many times over and over again, that this statement fixed itself in my mind,” says Ekta Viiveck Verma, founder of Invisible Scars, a support group for individuals facing non-physical abuse, which aims to create a safe space for victims of abuse while creating dialogue and breaking social stigma.
Growing up, Ekta was witness to multiple instances of verbal and domestic abuse. She was aghast by how these instances were normalized by calling them conflicts. These “conflicts” apparently seem to happen everywhere and the abuser is never questioned or shamed. In fact, it is never understood or accepted as abuse, whereas the victim is always silenced, asked to compromise and to bear the cross of an unhappy relationship all alone.
“Most often women are participants in this kind of abuse to another woman, reinforcing the myth one woman cannot tolerate another woman doing better. With a lack of awareness, comes a lack of empathy and a lack of understanding of the impact of such silent abuse,” she shared. “As soon as we think of domestic abuse we picture a man hitting a woman,” says Ekta. Domestic abuse is identified by very narrow parameters. The understanding that domestic abuse exists within all domestic relationships is critical to her and creating a new focus on non-physical domestic abuse, through her support group.
Ekta with her daughters
Being part of the support group helps members have each other’s backs, and increases their support system all over the world. “By helping yourself or helping someone else who is suffering in silence”, is their motto.
Changing the narrative around domestic abuse is absolutely imperative for Ekta. She believes in focusing on the mental health and well-being of women, and to create a supportive ecosystem. She wants women to know that it is necessary to set physical and emotional boundaries in relationships.
“Our online presence makes us reachable from all parts of the world. We have been around for almost three years and during that short time frame we have helped over 600 victims,” shares Verma.
Mother to two beautiful adopted daughters Ridheiy and Mishkkaa, today Ekta is happily based in Hyderabad, India with her husband Viiveck Verma, who is not only supportive of her endeavors, but an active participant in making a difference in the community to bring change towards such issues. “It’s not only about changing the way we look at abuse but at creating a safer environment for our daughters, empowering them and making them mentally strong,” concludes Ekta.
Photos Courtesy | Ekta Viiveck Verma
