The brave daughter of Aravindan Balakrishnan has opened up about her life since escaping her father's cult and has to her credit says that she has forgiven him. Speaking on the show 'This Morning', known as 'Fran' to protect her identity, the 33-year-old spoke about how in captivity her father routinely beat and abused her, which she thought was normal.
It wasn't until she secretly began reading books like Harry Potter and The Lord of the Rings that she realised her father was similar to the evil fictional character "the dark lord".
Even though she revealed she was "extremely delighted" once she had left the cult, she confessed that she didn't have any hatred towards her father, also known as Comrade Bala.
"Well I forgive him... What he did was wrong, but hatred and anger will not... It helps no one."
Asked what her plans for the future were Fran said: "I want to help people, I want to make sure no one ever feels that way I did. No one ever feels alone and forsaken by everybody."
Two people who helped the 33-year-old woman adjust to a normal life, Yvonne Hall and Gerard Stocks, both said Fran has come a long way and have high hopes for her to lead an independent life.
Balakrishnan, 75, of North London, was convicted of a string of charges including rape, indecent assault, assault, child cruelty and false imprisonment last week. He will be sentenced in January.
He was remanded in custody. Judge Deborah Taylor told him to “expect a substantial custodial sentence”.
