As viewers find the Coronation Street scenes in which Bethany Platt is groomed by older boyfriend Nathan Curtis uncomfortable to watch, the sad fact is it’s happening in real life too.
The show did extensive research about the plot with the NSPCC, and the actors involved met real life victims of abuse, including Lucie, who’s name has been changed to protect her anonymity.
Lucie moved Lucy Fallon (Bethany) to tears when they met, and now she’s opened up about her own experience.
Last night saw Bethany meet another man who Nathan wanted to join in their sordid little ring.
Read more: Corrie fans fear for Bethany after third man is introduced to Nathan’s gang
He sat his girlfriend on his lap and asked if he she thought Ian was good looking enough to join in their fun.
“I don’t see why not,” Bethany replied. But we knew full well what Nathan and Ian were planning for her.
Bethany has already been forced to sleep with one of Nathan’s friends, Neil, against her will, and now it looks like it’s going to happen again.
With violence and homelessness all on the cards for Bethany’s future, fans are urging her to speak out and seek help to get away from Nathan before it’s too late.
Lucie now works with the NSPCC. Speaking to the Mirror, she revealed she finds the scenes on Corrie too “upsetting” to watch.
She even admitted she was “genuinely scared” to meet Chris Harper, who plays Nathan, because his portrayal is so realistic.
Lucie was just 13 when she met her abuser online, who was more than 10 years older than her. Like Bethany, the promise of an engagement ring and stable family life lured Lucie in and she thought they were in a “normal relationship”.
Read more: Fans outraged at Corrie proposal, but will a loophole save Bethany
She only found the courage to speak out when she was 17, and discovered there were multiple victims of this man. However, despite her statement, the CPS were unable to gather enough evidence to prosecute.
Talking about the moment she met the actress telling her story on screen, Lucie revealed: “Lucy Fallon cried when I met her.
“She was very emotional about my story and I think it really hit home for her what she’s doing is somebody’s reality.”
After a lot of therapy and support, Lucie is learning to live again.
“I don’t think you ever fully recover,” she admitted. “You just take each day as it comes.
“I had a lot of support and therapy from my post traumatic stress diagnosis, and although I am still diagnosed with that, you learn to live with it day by day.
“I would say to anyone who fears they are being groomed: just tell somebody, somebody you trust.”
She added: “You deserve to be safe.”