STREET’S ABUSE PLOT MADE ME SPEAK OUT
Corrie backed by real victim
A SEX attack victim has found the courage to speak out about her ordeal – after watching Coronation Street.
Amy Foley, 28, was molested by her evil stepdad, who began “brainwashing” her at the age of five. The mum-of-two had nursed the psychological scars of her trauma in private until she watched Corrie’s controversial grooming storyline. Amy said: “When I saw it I felt quite numb. I was just so glad they are doing that story so people know what it’s like. “It’s real life and it’s happening so it needs to be out there. “Like a lot of people I didn’t know I was being groomed. “It was only when I got older that I realised my stepdad was moulding me into what he wanted me to be.” In Coronation Street, viewers have watched in horror as 16-year-old Bethany – played by actress Lucy Fallon – is groomed into a sordid sex ring by twisted tanning shop boss Nathan Curtis.
Escape
We revealed how the Street’s scriptwriters have had heated bust-ups over how far to push the plot, which is one of the darkest in the ITV soap’s history.
TV watchdog Ofcom yesterday announced it was assessing complaints from a number of viewers who said they found it uncomfortable to watch.
But Amy said the plotline had helped her come to terms with her own ordeal.
Her trucker stepfather Michael Foley, 44, was jailed at Manchester Crown Court for 10 years after admitting four rapes, four indecent assaults and three counts of gross indecency.
Amy waived her right to anonymity and is determined to help other grooming victims.
She said: “I thought I could never move on or escape the way I’m feeling but this is a new chapter.
“He always said to me, ‘You will never be anything’. If I ever feel bad I think of that and it helps me. It’s my motivation.
“Now I have got a nice house, a job I love, a beautiful family. I’m proud of where I am.”
Corrie boss Kate Oates said: “Bethany’s story is a challenging watch but we hope it will encourage open discussion among friends and families about selfesteem, confidence and most importantly, safety.”