The Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse is investigating allegations of sexual and physical abuse cases made against the former spiritual leader and head of the Satyananda Yoga Ashram in New South Wales. The Ashram and its head Swami Akhandananda Saraswati has been accused of multiple sexual abuse and rape charges during 1970s and 1980s.

The 57-year-old woman who was present in the Ashram during that period to take care of the children who took refuge there has claimed that she was present in the same room when two of the young girls were sexually assaulted. Alleged victims are accusing her that she even used to take them to the Ashram's head for the illicit tasks.

The hearing of the so called "handmaiden of the Mangrove Yoga Ashram" on the NSW Central Coast is leading to horrendous details in every proceeding. It is revealed through ABC News that Shishy was considered a motherly figure in the Ashram, but in reality, she was no less than a sex slave herself.

Although former residents of the Ashram are accusing her of harsh treatment, Shishy, on her second day in the witness stand, revealed numerous details of her own mistreatment at the hands of the head of the Ashram. She, however, admitted that she did slap a few kids but it was considered a norm in the strict Ashram culture.

The former caretaker was initiated in the Ashram when she was only 18 years of age. Shishy has admitted that back then, she accepted everything in the name of spiritual enlightenment including the rapes and molestations.

She even had a couple of abortions and was denied medical supervision on getting severely injured at the hands of Akhandananda. Further in her statement, Shishy is claiming that she even travelled to India to alert the movement's leader Swami Satyananda Saraswati of what is actually happening at the NSW Ashram but instead overheard him talking of getting rid of her.

Shishy ultimately left the place in 1985. She later cooperated with police in the investigation process, as a result of which, Akhandananda was charged in 1987 with more than 35 sex offences against four teenage girls. Due to changes in Australian law, his charges were reduced to only acts of indecency. He died six years later but the hearing is still in progress.