According to a new report, the highly rated BBC soap Eastenders is working alongside charity Survivors UK on a storyline involving male sexual assault airing next month. Ben Mitchell, played by Max Bowden, will be at the center of a new storyline after his character is raped by Lewis Butler, played by Aidan O’Callaghan. Here’s what you need to know.
The new storyline sees 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 “honored” to be able to tell “such an important story.”
BBC’s Eastenders To Air Male Sexual Assault Storyline According To New Report
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.”
She continued, “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.”
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