"I spent my childhood lying awake, terrified"
Ash Bibi, one of the stars of The Traitors UK, has bravely opened up about the violence and abuse she endured as a child.
The 47-year-old appeared on the hit BBC show in 2024, where she became one of the infamous ‘traitors’. Now, she is speaking out in the hope of raising awareness around domestic abuse.
Ash revealed that from the age of nine, she realised her home was not a safe place. She described living under the constant threat of violence.
Ash 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 again.”
She explained that she was forbidden from engaging with the outside world, making friends, or expressing her interests. Her home life, she said, left her feeling like a prisoner.
At 12 years old, Ash decided to confide in teachers about what she was going through. However, the community organisations she was matched with reportedly gave little support.
She said: “These organisations told me to stay compliant, to be a ‘good girl’, rather than offer real solutions.
“I quickly understood that their advice did not reflect an understanding of the situation I was living through.”
A turning point came at 13 years old when Ash saw Esther Rantzen on television talking about ChildLine. Inspired, she called the organisation for help.
Ash Bibi said: “I was terrified, but I knew I had to get help from somewhere.
“They advised me to speak to a trusted adult, so I confided in my science teacher.”
Her teacher recognised the seriousness of the situation and connected Ash with a specialised agency in Birmingham.
There, Ash faced a heartbreaking choice: leave home before turning 16 and go through court, or wait until 16. She chose the latter.
Ash endured months of fear and anxiety before reaching her birthday. The day after she turned 16, she sought help from the agency again.
They contacted social services, who swiftly arranged for Ash to be placed in a women’s refuge in Worcester.
She said: “Stepping into that refuge was the first time I felt a sense of security.”
The refuge provided her with safety, as well as resources to support her emotional healing.
Ash was also matched with a police officer who specialised in cases involving young women fleeing abusive environments.
She stated: “He was a vital resource, guiding me and ensuring my safety.
“I had to put my safety first, but the guilt of leaving my sister alone in that environment was overwhelming.”
Now, Ash Bibi is using her voice to advocate for others who are still trapped in dangerous situations.
She said:
“My past is not just my story, it represents many who are still suffering in silence today.”
“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 when it seems impossible.”
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