Fort Lauderdale, FL (November 1, 2017) – As October was Domestic Violence Awareness Month, No More Tears, founded by former Bollywood actress Somy Ali, continued its charge to help all victims of domestic violence and human and sex trafficking find a way out. So far this year, in conjunction with the nonprofit’s 10th anniversary, No More Tears has helped 87 women, 17 men and 762 children charter a course free from abuse.
“Abuse can happen to anyone,” said Somy Ali, founder of No More Tears. “As we have seen with the Harvey Weinstein scandal, many people who have been assaulted or harassed are afraid to speak up, and we help give both women and men a voice. We want to empower them to seek help and rise above their tragic experiences.”
Ali does not take a salary working with No More Tears; everyone is a volunteer, and 100 percent of every donation received goes directly to the nonprofit’s victims’ assistance programs. Each day Ali responds to 10 to 15 abuse-related second-responder calls from law enforcement and FBI officials in South Florida.
The 2nd Annual Heart in Hand Awards, held on Sunday, October 1, 2017 at EAST, Miami in Brickell, raised more than $40,000 for No More Tears.
“Miami ranks No. 3 for human and sex trafficking in the U.S., so this is an issue that deeply affects South Florida,” Ali said. “If one person donated $100 to No More Tears, it would provide two weeks’ worth of food for a victim. There is no amount too little when we are working to save lives.”
From doctors, to immigration attorneys, education and job placement resources, Ali and her network of professionals go beyond the call of duty. “We really aim to provide assistance that not only removes the victim from their abusive environment, but helps them start a new life so that they never look back.”
Born in Karachi, Pakistan, Ali was a victim of abuse. She moved to Broward County when she was 12, and then at 15 she moved to India to pursue a career in Bollywood. While there, she starred in 10 films, her most famous being Anth (1993), and was engaged to actor Salman Khan. She came back to the U.S. at age 25 and received her degree in psychology from Nova Southeastern University, followed a degree in film from the New York Film Academy. Her first short film covered the life of Pakistani rape victim Mukhtaran Mai.
Celebrating its 10th anniversary this October, No More Tears is a South Florida nonprofit organization that aims to assist and empower victims of domestic violence, human and sex trafficking. To learn more about No More Tears and how you can help, visit www.nomoretearsusa.org or call (954) 324-7669.