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A TRAITORS contestant who ended up at a Worcester women's refuge at the age of 16 has spoken about how she wants to prevent others from experiencing what she went through. Ash Bibi, known for her appearance on the second season of The Traitors, grew up in Birmingham, but found herself moved abruptly to Worcester at 16 to escape a violent home. She said: "I spent my childhood lying awake, terrified that the next scream I heard would mean something terrible, and that I would be in the firing line.
" Ms Bibi was nine when she realised that her home was not safe, but, when she spoke up about her experiences at the age of 12, she found herself facing systemic obstacles which made things much more difficult. ESCAPE: The Traitors star Ash Bibi came to a women's refuge in Worcester at the age of 16. (Image: Ash Bibi) "These organisations told me to stay compliant, to be a 'good girl', rather than offering any real solutions.
"I quickly understand that their advice did not reflect an understanding of the situation I was living through." At the age of 13 and with the help of Childline, Ms Bibi confided in a science teacher about her situation. The teacher, recognising how serious it was, connected Ms Bibi to a specialised agency, which gave her the option to leave home before 16 and enter the court system, or waiting until she was 16.
Ms Bibi chose the latter, and endured more than two more years in her household before she was able to leave freely. Upon leaving home on her 16th birthday, Ms Bibi was moved into a temporary women's refuge in Worcester READ MORE: 'Out of control' house party sees gangs of teenagers block street and police called READ MORE: Inside village in neighbouring county labelled as Britain’s ‘poshest’ READ MORE: Martin Lewis gives scam warning about DWP state pension changes Ms Bibi said: "Stepping into that refuge was the first time I felt a sense of security. "The refuge not only provides safety, but also resources for my emotional healing.
" Ms Bibi spent several more years living in Worcester, before moving to London where she resides today. SPEAKING OUT: The Traitors star Ash BIbi said it is crucial to confront the issues (Image: Ash Bibi) "My past is not just my story, it represents many who are still suffering in silence today," she said. "It is crucial that we confront these issues head-on, realising that cultural and social barriers often silence victims.
"We need to create more widely accessible support systems for girls and young women who feel trapped no matter their background. "If there is anybody right now who is trapped in a situation like I was, I want them to know there is always a way out, even if it seems impossible.".
