THIS Morning star Ashley James has revealed she was raped in a “hugely traumatic” ordeal.
Ashley, 38, bravely waived her right to anonymity, as she recounted the horrific attack nearly two decades ago.
Ashley, who was aged 21 at the time, said she was raped by a male friend when she was a student at Nottingham University.
She recalled how the attack occurred after a night out at a club with pals while she’d been unconscious.
The star said she had decided to speak out now to fight for better support for victims of sexual assault and to “change the conversation” about rape.
Ashley told The Mirror: “While at university, I was raped. It’s something I’ve never spoken about, and yet I’ve thought about it every day since – increasingly so since having children.
“It’s one of the very worst moments of my life.”
Ashley added: “It was hugely traumatic. I’m not telling the story to shock, but as a mirror to show how common these experiences are, and also how broken the support system is.”
Speaking about why she decided to take the step in recounting her ordeal , Ashley said she’d been inspired by the bravery of Gisele Pelicot.
In a case that prompted global outrage, in 2023 it was revealed that Gisele’s husband had been repeatedly drugging her and letting dozens of men rape her as she lay unconscious for years, while he filmed it.
Over 50 men were found to have taken part in the abuse, and following a lengthy trial in December 2024.
They were all found guilty of rape or sexual assault and received prison sentences ranging from three to 20 years.
Pelicot’s words, “Shame must change sides,” had a profound effect on Ashley.
The mum-of-two said that she hoped her story would help to change the narrative that rapists are only “bad apples or strangers in alleyways”.
She insisted focus needed to be on how to prevent men assaulting people, rather than on teaching the victims how to avoid being assaulted.
Ashley said that changes needed to be made to the current system to support sexual assault, pointing to how women often find themselves facing as much shame and blame as their rapists.
She said: “Sexual assault is an area where there’s still a lot of shame and taboo.
“The system still doesn’t support women. It almost feels like the woman is put on trial more than the man who is accused of rape.”
Ashley also bravely recounted her story in her new book, Bimbo.
The TV star – who has two children, Ada, who is three in March, and Alfie, 5, with her partner-of-six-years City worker Tommy Andrews – did not report her rape.
She said: “I didn’t come forward. Not because I thought the police wouldn’t believe me, but because the man wasn’t a stranger in a dark alley.
“He was a friend. Because of that, the only person I blamed was myself … for years.”
Ashley is now the political and social affairs correspondent on ITV’s This Morning.
Before Christmas she appeared on Celebrity Mastermind, her chosen subject being Lady Constance Lytton, the 19th-century suffragette activist and campaigner for prison reform.
Her book, Bimbo, will be released on February 12.
Help after rape and sexual assault
If you’ve been sexually assaulted it’s important to remember that it was not your fault. Sexual violence is a crime, no matter who commits it or where it happens. Don’t be afraid to get help.
There are services that can help if you’ve been sexually assaulted, raped or abused.
You don’t have to report the assault to the police if you don’t want to. You may need time to think about what has happened to you.
But you should get medical help for any injuries and because you may be at risk of pregnancy or sexually transmitted infections (STIs). If you want the crime to be investigated, it’s best to have a forensic medical examination as soon as possible.
Try not to wash or change your clothes immediately after a sexual assault. This may destroy forensic evidence that could be important if you decide to report the assault to the police (although you can still go to the police even if you have washed).
Where to get help
Sexual assault referral centres (SARCs) offer medical, practical and emotional support to anyone who has been raped, sexually assaulted or abused. SARCs have specially trained doctors, nurses and support workers to care for you.
Other places you can get help include:
