EastEnders works with male sexual assault survivors’ charity

BBC One soap EastEnders has enlisted the help of SurvivorsUK, Survivors Manchester and Male Survivors Partnership (MSP) for a rape plot involving Ben Mitchell

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EastEnders: Ben Mitchell admits to attacking gay Steve

EastEnders has revealed that they are working alongside charity SurvivorsUK on a storyline involving male sexual assault, which will air next month.

Ben Mitchell (Max Bowden) will be at the center of the storyline after his character is raped by newcomer Lewis Butler (Aidan O’Callaghan).

Barman Lewis befriended Ben in recent weeks, who was suffering from an identity crisis, before he became the victim of sexual assault.

Actor Max, 27, said he was “honored” to be able to tell “such an important story” on BBC radio.

“Along with some great charities and some very inspiring UK male sexual assault survivors, I think we’ve been able to really put the word out. explain as honestly as possible and I hope we can raise awareness and understanding on a topic that is rarely covered up,” he said.

Kate Oates, head of continuing drama at BBC Studios, added: “Ben has endured a traumatic time after witnessing a homophobic attack on Callum that left people I recall painful memories of losing Paul.

“As a result, Ben was lost in life, that’s when he found Lewis. Ben found Lewis attractive and thought of him as someone who could understand him the way Callum did, but that trust was lost. abused when Lewis crossed the line and raped Ben.

“Through this story, we hope to explore issues of consent, sexual identity, masculinity, and sexual assault, focusing on how this fateful night impacted Ben. and those who love him in the coming months,” Kate said.

The BBC One soap opera says it has worked “closely” with charities including SurvivorsUK, Survivors Manchester and Male Survivors Partnership (MSP) on the plot.

Marta Almeida, service manager for SurvivorsUK, said: “Almost all of us will know a man who has been sexually assaulted at some point, but a large number of male survivors still do. do not feel there is space for them to continue.

“Storylines like these are a great opportunity to uncover reality for so many men, families and communities from top to bottom in the UK.”

Duncan Craig OBE, chief executive officer of Survivors Manchester, said: “Male victims of sexual assault, rape and abuse are often minimized, ignored or forgotten and unless it is spoken of, about us as a society won’t quite be able to solve it.

“While there is always some criticism of soap, TV series or any other form of entertainment that tells a story like this, I am 100% confident that these cultural references have has a direct impact on creating change in society but more importantly for me as a survivor, directly impacts survivors themselves.

“I often think if I just saw something on TV when I was experiencing sexual violence that showed it happens to men too, maybe I wouldn’t have been silent for long and caused a lot of damage to my family. self.”