Warning - this article discusses topics which some readers may find distressing.

Former Strictly Come Dancing star Nikita Kanda has opened up about growing up "in a very violent environment" where she "witnessed and experienced a huge amount of abuse physically and mentally for years".

The BBC Asian Network star spoke about her past for the first time in a post on Instagram in the hopes of a "positive change".

The 29-year-old told her 37.6K followers: "Sharing something quite personal on here today. It’s something I’ve kept out of the public eye and even away from most people that know me, friends, colleagues, and followers but I feel a sense of duty to use my platform and use something negative that happened in my life for hopefully a positive change.

"There is a major rise of violence against women and girls in this country which needs to just simply STOP! 2-3 women a week are dying because of this!"

She added: "This may be a shock to many of you but I grew up in a very violent environment and witnessed and experienced a huge amount of abuse physically and mentally for years.

"The trauma of watching the abuse happen severely to my incredible mum and then experiencing it myself is something I never thought I would get through.

"It’s something that changes you forever, how you view the world and it doesn’t ever leave you no matter how much you try to forget.

"I never wanted any woman, child or mother to experience what we have as a family. In the Asian community we’re taught to not talk about these topics, sweep it under the rug and hide it but I hope we can start speaking more freely, stamping out any judgement and just making sure women are safe."

Nikita then directed people to visit Refuge (who she has recently partnered up with), to see the "incredible" work they are doing to help survivors of domestic abuse.

Recommended reading:

If you or someone you know is experiencing abuse, call Refuge’s helpline on 0808 2000 247 (day or night).

You can also visit Refuge’s website for more information and advice.

Nikita ended her post with: “You are not alone and I understand you.”