Mum who fled domestic abuse and came to Wolverhampton tells her story and hopes to help others

With the help of an uncle, Crystal was able to flee to the UK at the age of just 16 and build a new life for herself, before being awarded for her work helping others escaping abuse.

Now Crystal, who moved to Telford from Wolverhampton earlier this year, tells her inspirational survival story in her new book, Butterfly Woman (Time to Fly), in a bid to give others courage to find a new life.

The 34-year-old is now happily married to Chris and a mother to a three-year-old daughter and 10-month-old son, Christian.

Their lives are the complete opposite to the one Crystal had, growing up in poverty with her siblings. She says she went through physical, sexual and emotional abuse.

"I was forced to become a prostitute to make money to upkeep the home," she said.

"There was on man who began to stalk me, he was always there watching me, I feared for my life."

When she arrived in the UK she stayed at The Haven, the Wolverhampton refuge that supports women and children forced to flee for their safety.

She went on to volunteer and received the Queen's Award for Volunteering.

Crystal said it was during her time at The Haven that she really developed her passion for writing.

"I had always had an interest in books and reading in general, but I joined the writing group.

"I was very proactive and took part in almost everything they offered me - counselling, support with immigration, cooking and baking sessions, courses on domestic violence, art and craft and writing.

"At the writing group I wrote poems and short stories and was encouraged and told that I'm good at putting words together on paper. My book Butterfly Woman started in the hostel, where I saw a lot of other women who were facing hard times.

"My counsellor helped me with art and colouring as a way of developing mindfulness, and one of the colouring sheets had a big butterfly on it that I coloured in and put on the wall in my bedroom at the hostel. After a number of months I managed to get my own flat in Warstones and continued to write my book whilst studying children and young people's mental health. Then I joined Talent Match based at the YMCA in Temple Street, eventually becoming a support worker, which is how I met my husband," she added.

She said she and her family now love living in Telford.

"We lived in a small flat in Wolverhampton and it was hard with two young children. Now we can get out and enjoy the green spaces everywhere," she said.

"There is lots to do in the community and I've joined a cookery group. My daughter loves helping me to cook. I'm determined that our children will have all the love and support that I didn't have as a child.

"It was hard telling my story, but if I can help just one person, it will have been worth it."