Soap works with charity on rape story
EASTENDERS has revealed it is working alongside charity SurvivorsUK on a storyline involving male sexual assault airing next month.
Ben Mitchell, played by Max Bowden, will be at the centre of a new storyline after his character is raped by Lewis Butler, played by Aidan O’Callaghan.
Barman Lewis has befriended Ben in recent weeks, who is enduring a crisis of identity, before he becomes a victim of sexual assault.
Bowden, who plays the son of infamous Phil Mitchell, has said he is “honoured” to be able to tell “such an important story”.
He 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.”
Kate Oates, head of continuing drama at BBC Studios, 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, focussing on how this fateful night impacts Ben and those who love him over the coming months.”
The BBC One soap opera said they have worked “closely” with charities including SurvivorsUK, Survivors Manchester and the Male Survivors Partnership (MSP) on the storyline.