‘Drink is used as a scapegoat in rape cases’

ctress Sophie A Porley, 24, plays Ellie in Hollyoaks. Her character is involved in a storyline surrounding sexual consent. She says: “My character has a lot to drink and spends the night with a boy, but has no recollection of sleeping with him and doesn’t know if she’s been raped.

“While I think the judge intended to be helpful, I don’t agree with her and I think her comments could be damaging. Women could feel an attack is their fault, or it could deter them from coming forward.

“Of course women have a duty to protect themselves, but alcohol is often used as a scapegoat in rape cases. You wouldn’t blame the victim of a knife crime if they were drunk, so why do we do this with rape?

“Instead of suggesting women take responsibility for drinking, put the onus on men – suggest they don’t drink as much so they don’t find themselves in a situation where consent is blurred? We need more education among men about consent, rather than telling women not to drink to excess.” Hollyoaks is on C4, weeknights at 6.30pm.