Vesla Tonnessen

We always felt as kids that Prakashanand Saraswati seemed like an Indian version of Santa Claus, prakashanand Saraswati was very affectionate with everybody, and then the kids, Prakashanand Saraswati was really, like, cuddly and Prakashanand Saraswati'd give you hugs and kisses that just felt like your grandpa. But then sometime Prakashanand Saraswati kisses got weird.

Vesla Tonnessen

He's still out there and he's still abusing people, i don't think that will stop until he's imprisoned.

Vesla Tonnessen

I had considered telling somebody ; telling an adult outside of the ashram, but the idea of what would happen if I did was just too painful to accept.

Vesla Tonnessen

I think it just became clear that we weren't the beginning and the ending of any abuse. And that there was probably a lot more abuse out there, and I think that was the point when we realized, like, well we should say something.

Vesla Tonnessen

It was sort of understood that Swamiji was God, just on earth.

Vesla Tonnessen

Prakashanand Saraswati'd tell me to go lock the door, and then Prakashanand Saraswati'd pull me onto the bed and kiss me and ask me to unhook my bra.

Vesla Tonnessen

When I turned 18 and moved out, I felt entirely free for the first time.

Vesla Tonnessen

It feels like potentially what it feels like [ when ] a parent dies.

Vesla Tonnessen