Surviving, thriving, and helping others: Montrealer Cynthia Sardou makes her mark

On Christmas Eve 1999, Cynthia Sardou was leaving work, when she was kidnapped, held captive, and sexually assaulted by three people for several hours.

“You will never forget. Don’t worry about that,” said Sardou. “You will never forget, but it happened. You have to live. I learnt to live with that every day.”

Sardou is a Montrealer now, but she was born and raised in France, with a famous family.

Twenty-five years later, Sarodou is reflecting on how those fateful hours in 1999 changed her life – and made her who she is today.

“It’s possible to make it, and it’s possible to live the life that they deserve, and that I deserve too.”

She was able to overcome the psychological effects from that night, with the love and help of her family and because she had a strong desire to rebuild her life.

“I lived a post-traumatic period, and I went to the hospital for several weeks. My family was there all the time. They were so nice with me. 10 years to re-build a life completely. But it’s worth it. I mean, I work very hard, but it’s worth it.”

Sardou now works at the Centre des Femmes Solidaires et Engagées – helping other women overcome and survive their own traumatic experiences.

She says that once you start to feel comfortable with yourself, you can give to other people, but you must take care of yourself first.

“When you’re going through something in your life, regardless of what it is, it doesn’t necessarily have to be a trauma. The first person that you question is yourself,” explained Pina Di Pasquale, Director of Centre des Femmes Solidaires et Engagées. Adding that asking for help is hard, but it’s often the only way to overcome difficult situations.

“Is it my fault? What did I do? What could I have done better? Maybe if I change, wow, you know what a thought. It will change the situation. And so going through that process, it’s a mindset that will destroy you eventually.”

Sardou believes that living your life gives you justice.

“Never forget that love exists, friendship exists, happiness exists. Try to be a very good woman with yourself first and then you will give the best around you.”