'Not only did I survive, I thrived' - Meera Syal after assaults
Dame Meera Syal has opened up about surviving sexual assault and harassment early in her career in her new memoir, 'Vigilauntie'. She credits the experience with fueling her resilience and leading her to a supportive community of women.
Why it matters
The account highlights the prevalence of abuse in the entertainment industry and the importance of survivor narratives in cultural discourse.
Image source, Getty Images Image caption, Dame Meera Syal's new memoir discusses her upbringing, motherhood and the challenges she encountered in her career
Dame Meera Syal has said she "almost gave up" her career after being sexually harassed and assaulted by two "predators" within the media industry.
"I was out of work, I was homeless, sleeping on people's floors, and then these two things happened in quite quick succession," the Wolverhampton-born star said in a candid interview with BBC Asian Network's Amber Haque .
In her new memoir, Vigilauntie, which was published on Thursday, the actress shared that both incidents happened in her 20s, as she was struggling to secure a role.
Now aged 65, she has opened up about the harrowing experiences and reflected on how she overcame them to become one of the most well-known faces on British TV.
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