My Daughter Was Kidnapped & I Did Not See Her For 22 Years - Chai With Sahelis: A Desi Dost Project

Leena has three daughters. Her oldest was kidnapped at 12 months old and whisked away to India and then to Qatar by her ex-husband.

Her two younger children were fathered by her ex-partner who was addicted to prescription drugs. Leena says he was calm when he was medicated and violent without them.

Both men were physically abusive towards her.

This audio story is part of a unique storytelling project, “Chai with Sahelis,'' where survivors from the Indian American (desi) community share deeply personal stories about their experience living with and surviving  domestic violence.

This is her story.

This series is supported by the USC Center for Health Journalism in partnership with Desi Collective, Narika and India Currents.

This content is intended only for mature audiences. Listener discretion advised.
CW/TW: domestic violence, language, mental health, mental illness, depression, su*c*de, violent imagery, body image, anger, anxiety, abandonment

This article was produced as a project for the USC Annenberg Center for Health Journalism’s 2021 Domestic Violence Impact Reporting Fund.

Image: Tanya Momi
Music: Tumko dekha to by Himanshu Katara  on storyblocks.com

If you or anyone you know needs help, please contact:
Narika : 1-800-215-7308
Maitri : 1-888-8624874
Raksha : 1-866-56-ABUSE
Domestic Violence Hotline : 1-800-799-SAFE (7233)

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