Assume Nothing

A Story of Intimate Violence

De: Tanya Selvaratnam

Narrado por: Tanya Selvaratnam

Award-winning filmmaker Tanya Selvaratnam bravely recounts the intimate abuse she suffered from former New York State Attorney General Eric Schneiderman, using her story as a prism to examine the domestic violence crisis plaguing America.

When Tanya Selvaratnam met then New York State Attorney General Eric Schneiderman at the Democratic National Convention in July 2016, they seemed like the perfect match. Both were Harvard alumni; both studied Chinese; both were interested in spirituality and meditation, both were well-connected rising stars in their professions—Selvaratnam in entertainment and the art world; Schneiderman in law and politics.

Behind closed doors, however, Tanya’s life was anything but ideal. Schneiderman became controlling, mean, and manipulative. He drank heavily and used sedatives. Sex turned violent, and he called Tanya—who was born in Sri Lanka and grew up in Southern California—his “brown slave.” He isolated and manipulated her, even threatening to kill her if she tried to leave.

Twenty-five percent of women in America are victims of domestic abuse. Tanya never thought she would be a part of this statistic. Growing up, she witnessed her father physically and emotionally abuse her mother. Tanya knew the patterns and signs of domestic violence, and did not see herself as remotely vulnerable. Yet what seemed impossible was suddenly a terrifying reality: she was trapped in a violent relationship with one of the most powerful men in New York.

Sensitive and nuanced, written with the gripping power of a dark psychological thriller, Assume Nothing details how Tanya’s relationship devolved into abuse, how she found the strength to leave—risking her career, reputation, and life—and how she reclaimed her freedom and her voice. In sharing her story, Tanya analyzes the insidious way women from all walks of life learn to accept abuse, and redefines what it means to be a victim of intimate violence.

Supplemental enhancement PDF accompanies the audiobook.

the detail picture painted for intimate partner violence

I appreciate her brave and would read her book again. I encourage people to read her book

Beautifully Written

Thank you for sharing your story with the world! Thank you for standing up for women!

Powerful and Brave

This is a very brave memoir by a bright ,very accomplished woman.
Tanya Selvaratnam courageously tells her story of
Her relationship and shocking,physical, sexual & emotional abuse by a man of huge power in the state oF NY, Eric Schneiderman - NYS AG
It’s terrifying to listen to and while you applaud her , you fear for her safety every step of the way.
Loved listening to the audible that the author narrates 🙏

Everyone should read

We've either experienced this kind of abuse or we know someone who has. Thank you for sharing, it helps those of us who still can't share what happened.

A book for our time

The book, "Assume Nothing", by Tanya Selvaratnsam will haunt me. Being a domestic abuse survivor, I am a sister to intimate partner abuse . All abuse is wrong and Tanya explains why in simple and concise terms. I love how she talks about it with the " Me-Too" movement , the Black Lives Matter protest and the Trump Administration in the backdrop. It gives a totally different perspective to all of these events; a nightmare in a sea of bad dreams. Most of all I love how she constantly reminds us of where she was in her life when she was drawn in; between suffering and healing which makes it all too clear how easily one can fall into the arms of an abuser. This should be required reading for all women.