Yolande Trueman is set to be sexuality assaulted by Pastor Clayton.
The BBC soap has been working with charities End Violence Against Women Coalition and Hourglass on a new storyline in which Yolande (Angela Wynter) is attacked by Pastor Clayton (Howard Saddler), a man who she believes has become her close friend and confidante.
As the storyline progresses, Yolande will struggle to come to terms with the assault from a man whom she believed she could trust as it impacts all aspects of her life, including her relationship with husband Patrick Trueman (Rudolph Walker).
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The scenes will air in an hour-long episode on Wednesday, April 17 and will also include flashback accounts of women who have previously been sexually assaulted by Pastor Clayton as it becomes clear that this is not his first offence. EastEnders has worked closely with experts in the field to ensure this story is portrayed as accurately and sensitively as possible.
(Image: BBC/Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron)
Chris Clenshaw, Executive Producer of EastEnders, said of the storyline: “This is an important story that we hope will raise awareness of how women at any age can been groomed by someone in a position of power. It was vital for us to work alongside End Violence Against Women Coalition and Hourglass to truthfully present and sensitively portray Yolande’s sexual assault storyline.”
(Image: BBC/Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron)
Andrea Simon, Director of End Violence Against Women Coalition, said of Yolande’s story: “We’re proud to work with EastEnders on this important storyline. Sexual assault happens to women of all ages and backgrounds, but many find they aren’t believed or taken seriously. Older women, black women and others who are marginalised are at the sharp end of this, with huge consequences for their access to justice and support. TV shows can play a huge role in shifting attitudes across society. We hope this storyline helps dispel myths and stereotypes about what victims and survivors look like and how perpetrators behave, and ultimately increases understanding of sexual assault.”
Veronica Gray, Deputy CEO and Director of Policy at Hourglass added: “This is a landmark moment for all older victims of abuse in the UK and beyond. EastEnders, shaping a storyline around the too-often hidden nightmare of sexual abuse of older people, finally brings this issue out of the shadows and into public consciousness. We hope this will start an important conversation in many households across the UK. Hourglass is delighted to work with EastEnders on this storyline to provide advice, and we were impressed by how engaged the scriptwriting team were and how keen they were to be authentic and respectful. Abuse of older people comes in many forms, and Hourglass urges anyone affected to make contact with us.”
EastEnders airs Monday to Thursday on BBC One at 7.30pm
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
