Male rape charity works with soap on storyline

HOLLYOAKS is working with the charity Survivors Manchester on a sexual abuse storyline involving a teenager being abused by his football coach.

The local charity, which recently worked with Coronation Street on its male rape storyline involving David Platt and newcomer Josh Tucker, has been asked for help by the Channel Four soap on the story of young Ollie Morgan being groomed by coach Buster Smith.

As Ollie, played by Aedan Duckworth, struggles to adjust to life in Hollyoaks with his dad, Luke, stepmum Mandy and their daughter, Ella, he begins to confide in Buster, played by Nathan Sussex – and as the storyline progresses Buster will use his position of power to groom him. Hollyoaks says writers and producers have consulted Survivors Manchester during the scripting process to ensure all scripts and episodes are reflective of the experience of survivors of this type of abuse and that the storyline is depicted in a sensitive manner.

Survivors Manchester previously worked with Hollyoaks on the storyline of teacher John Paul McQueen’s rape, which led to an increase in funding for male-rape victims.

CEO Duncan Craig, from Survivors Manchester, which supports male survivors of sexual abuse and rape, said: “It is once again an absolute pleasure to be working with Hollyoaks on another hugely important storyline that is so topical and relevant. Working with producers, researchers, scriptwriters and the cast, we have been able to develop a story that is rooted firmly in the present day and will show the intricacies of grooming and the difficulty in speaking out as a young male.” The storyline comes after paedophile former football coach Barry Bennell was jailed for 30 years last month for abusing 12 young boys between 1979 and 1991. He was convicted of 50 child sexual offences, including rape. Hollyoaks explored the issue of male rape in 2000 when Ollie’s dad Aedan Duckworth Luke Morgan, played by Gary Lucy, was brutally attacked by Mark Gibbs at the end of a long-running bullying campaign, and again in 2015 when John Paul was attacked by student Finn O’Connor.

Actor Aedan said: “It’s a privilege to have been given this challenging storyline for Ollie. To ensure I accurately depict Ollie’s situation I have had guidance from Survivors Manchester and support and advice from Gary Lucy during the filming process. I hope to continue to raise awareness around this subject and encourage those who may have found themselves in a similar situation, to reach out and seek the support they deserve.”

Executive producer Bryan Kirkwood said he’d tried to do it while he was boss of EastEnders between 2010 and 2012 but had been told ‘in no uncertain terms’ that it wasn’t suitable.

Claiming that the Hollyoaks plot was the proudest moment of his career, he said: “Rape of female characters has become a staple over the years, yet male rape or the sexual abuse of men isn’t a conversation we have, ever.” National helpline Male Survivor has seen a 1,700 per cent increase in calls following the David Platt storyline.

An estimated 12,000 men are raped in the UK every year, and more than 70,000 are sexually abused or assaulted. The Hollyoaks storyline will air from Monday, April 16, at 7pm on E4.

The charity can be contacted on 0808 800 5005 or visit malesurvivor. co.uk