BY KALYANI VASAN
LOS ANGELES, CA: Author, realtor, family and marriage mediator, dispute resolution specialist, computer science graduate…the list goes on and on as Veera Mahajan is a woman of many successful facets but, the one that is closest to her heart and being is that of being a...
LOS ANGELES, CA: Author, realtor, family and marriage mediator, dispute resolution specialist, computer science graduate…the list goes on and on as Veera Mahajan is a woman of many successful facets but, the one that is closest to her heart and being is that of being a...
domestic abuse survivor who has gone on to becoming a best-selling author who is involved in helping others to emerge out of abuse.
`Unreported’ is the book that Mahajan has authored to serve as a ‘go to book’ for those in a situation where they are victims of abuse, caught in a web of deceit, lies and fear. “This book is my story of transitioning from a victim to a survivor and winner. I want to share this with others so they know that there is life and light at the end of the tunnel.” The title of the book highlights the fact that the majority of domestic abuse situations go unreported.
In a exclusive interview with India Journal spoke with Mahajan to gain insight on the book.
When asked how the idea of writing a book on the subject came about, Mahajan said,`` If I were to use the analogy of life being made up of chapters in a book, my unhappy chapters started when my ex-husband cheated on me. My trust in him was broken and that created a wedge in the relationship. As a couple we were very successful in running a profitable business, we travelled, had a beautiful home and two young sons. But, the wedge in the relationship lead to abuse and got consistently worse. I accepted it for a long time because nobody told me that I deserved better. As women, we are thought to be kind, loving and giving to all others except ourselves. The calendar in my head said to wait till my sons were 18 to avoid a custody battle. I knew that if I walked out of the marriage before that I would never see my children. ‘’
Mahajan went on to explain that women are taught to make it work no matter what and that is what she tried to do. Abuse was not new to her. She grew up seeing her mother being abused by her father. Hence, she stayed married for 23 years and when she did get a divorce, she moved to Malibu, CA as one of her sons decided to get away from the toxic home environment in Michigan and attend school in Los Angeles. This is when Mahajan truly began the chapter of focusing on herself; that became the beginning of her happy chapter and the book, `Unreported’ began to take shape. Many abuse victims if married think that divorce from the abuser is the final chapter. “All my life I was under someone’s control. I told myself that I am not going to end my life with my divorce. I am going to live my happy chapter and started interviewing many people who have experienced abuse and are now living a better life. You are not free until you are really happy. Once you start on a positive thing, the universe gives you the energy to make things happen. However, many abuse victims go back to becoming victims all over again as they do not know anything else.I was determined to not let that happen to me. My book is not about man-bashing as the source of abuse could be your father, your lover, your child…just anybody. My book shows by example, by lessons learnt, advice and choices made.”
As Mahajan shared her intent of writing a book on domestic abuse, she was warned that the abuser could come back to hurt you, sue you. She thought long and hard for a year and then went ahead with the book. Additionally she went on to get a Master’s degree in Dispute Resolution from Pepperdine University and is also trained in spiritual psychology. She now practices as a family and small business issue resolution expert and is always looking to help anyone who is in an abusive situation.
When asked whether it was a wise decision to stay on in her abusive relation until her sons turned 18, Mahajan responded saying that each abuse situation is different and thought processes are unique. “When I wanted to go ahead with a divorce, my abuser threatened to take away my children and so I stayed on. In fact I gave permission to the abuser to continue with the abuse. At that time in my life I felt that is what I needed to do.”
So, what is life like for Mahajan in her ‘happy chapter’? She is a fitness fanatic and her mornings start with a run on the beach, resulting in her running marathons. Additionally, she has long been a realtor to support herself. She teaches dispute and conflict resolution on a part time basis. Her books sales have been brisk on line and now she is working on making a movie based on the book! Mahajan’s goal in life now is to live and promote the happy chapters of life for herself and for those who need it. If you are a victim of domestic abuse and need help, please reach out to Veera Mahajan at VeeraMahajan.com. `Unreported’ is available on Amazon.com
`Unreported’ is the book that Mahajan has authored to serve as a ‘go to book’ for those in a situation where they are victims of abuse, caught in a web of deceit, lies and fear. “This book is my story of transitioning from a victim to a survivor and winner. I want to share this with others so they know that there is life and light at the end of the tunnel.” The title of the book highlights the fact that the majority of domestic abuse situations go unreported.
In a exclusive interview with India Journal spoke with Mahajan to gain insight on the book.
When asked how the idea of writing a book on the subject came about, Mahajan said,`` If I were to use the analogy of life being made up of chapters in a book, my unhappy chapters started when my ex-husband cheated on me. My trust in him was broken and that created a wedge in the relationship. As a couple we were very successful in running a profitable business, we travelled, had a beautiful home and two young sons. But, the wedge in the relationship lead to abuse and got consistently worse. I accepted it for a long time because nobody told me that I deserved better. As women, we are thought to be kind, loving and giving to all others except ourselves. The calendar in my head said to wait till my sons were 18 to avoid a custody battle. I knew that if I walked out of the marriage before that I would never see my children. ‘’
Mahajan went on to explain that women are taught to make it work no matter what and that is what she tried to do. Abuse was not new to her. She grew up seeing her mother being abused by her father. Hence, she stayed married for 23 years and when she did get a divorce, she moved to Malibu, CA as one of her sons decided to get away from the toxic home environment in Michigan and attend school in Los Angeles. This is when Mahajan truly began the chapter of focusing on herself; that became the beginning of her happy chapter and the book, `Unreported’ began to take shape. Many abuse victims if married think that divorce from the abuser is the final chapter. “All my life I was under someone’s control. I told myself that I am not going to end my life with my divorce. I am going to live my happy chapter and started interviewing many people who have experienced abuse and are now living a better life. You are not free until you are really happy. Once you start on a positive thing, the universe gives you the energy to make things happen. However, many abuse victims go back to becoming victims all over again as they do not know anything else.I was determined to not let that happen to me. My book is not about man-bashing as the source of abuse could be your father, your lover, your child…just anybody. My book shows by example, by lessons learnt, advice and choices made.”
As Mahajan shared her intent of writing a book on domestic abuse, she was warned that the abuser could come back to hurt you, sue you. She thought long and hard for a year and then went ahead with the book. Additionally she went on to get a Master’s degree in Dispute Resolution from Pepperdine University and is also trained in spiritual psychology. She now practices as a family and small business issue resolution expert and is always looking to help anyone who is in an abusive situation.
When asked whether it was a wise decision to stay on in her abusive relation until her sons turned 18, Mahajan responded saying that each abuse situation is different and thought processes are unique. “When I wanted to go ahead with a divorce, my abuser threatened to take away my children and so I stayed on. In fact I gave permission to the abuser to continue with the abuse. At that time in my life I felt that is what I needed to do.”
So, what is life like for Mahajan in her ‘happy chapter’? She is a fitness fanatic and her mornings start with a run on the beach, resulting in her running marathons. Additionally, she has long been a realtor to support herself. She teaches dispute and conflict resolution on a part time basis. Her books sales have been brisk on line and now she is working on making a movie based on the book! Mahajan’s goal in life now is to live and promote the happy chapters of life for herself and for those who need it. If you are a victim of domestic abuse and need help, please reach out to Veera Mahajan at VeeraMahajan.com. `Unreported’ is available on Amazon.com
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