EastEnders will tackle the issue of male rape when fan favourite Ben Mitchell is attacked.
The new manager of The Prince Albert bar, Lewis Butler , played by Aidan O’Callaghan, has befriended Ben in recent weeks.
Ben has been struggling recently after his husband Callum was violently beaten up at new year. Ben has since attacked homophobes in retaliation.
However, Ben will then be raped by Lewis in an episode set to air next month.
A source told The Sun : “It’s the first time EastEnders has covered this issue but they’ve always been at the forefront of telling these important stories.”
“The attack won’t be shown on-screen but viewers will be aware of it happening.”
Producers have been working closely with several charities, including SurvivorsUK, Survivors Manchester and the Male Survivors Partnership, to ensure it is covered sensitively.
Actor Max was recently seen on Instagram conducting research on a then-unconfirmed storyline.
Max said: “Alongside some wonderful charities, and some very inspirational survivors of male sexual assault in the UK, I think we’ve been able to really strive to tell the most truthful account we can, and I hope we can raise awareness and understanding on a topic that is rarely covered.”
‘I’m honoured to be given this opportunity to tell such an important story.”
BBC head of continuing drama Kate Oates added: “Ben has endured a traumatic time after witnessing a homophobic attack on Callum that brought back painful memories of losing Paul.
“As a result, Ben lost his way in life…which is when he found Lewis. Ben finds Lewis attractive, and thinks of him as a someone who can understand him in a way Callum does not; but that trust is abused when Lewis crosses a line and rapes Ben.”
“Through this story, we hope to explore issues of consent, sexual identity, masculinity, and sexual assault, focusing on how this fateful night impacts Ben and those who love him over the coming months.”
Rape charity SurvivorsUK spokeswoman Marta Almeida, Services Manager for said: “Almost all of us will know a man who has been sexually assaulted at some point, but a huge number of male survivors still don’t feel there’s a space for them to come forward.
“Storylines like this one are an amazing opportunity to explore the reality for so many men, families and communities up and down the UK.”
This won’t be the first male rape storyline in soap, but it will be the first one with a gay male victim.
In 2000, Hollyoaks ran a storyline where Luke Morgan was raped. The groundbreaking plot is still having repercussions today,
Coronation Street has also aired a male rape plot, featuring David Platt, in 2018.
EastEnders continues at 7.30pm Monday to Thursday on BBC One
If you have been affected by this story, contact Rape Crisis England & Wales for free confidential support and information on 08088029999 or their website or 08088010302 if you’re calling from Scotland.
You can contact the Domestic and Sexual Abuse helpline on 0808 802 1414 if you are in Ireland.
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
