A male rape charity has seen a 1,700 per cent increase in calls following David Platt’s harrowing storyline in Coronation Street.
Male Survivor, which supports male survivors of sexual abuse, rape and sexual exploitation, has had an influx of calls from people asking for help and support after the controversial Corrie storyline aired on Friday 16 March.
After the attack, Josh continues to torment David (Credit: ITV)
And the charity has praised the soap for tackling such an important issue.
Viewers were horrified as Josh Tucker drugged then raped David. Although the actual assault was not shown, traumatic scenes showed David waking up in Josh’s bed and realising what had happened to him.
Ofcom received more than 122 complaints about the episode, from viewers who believed the storyline was not appropriate before the watershed.
The realisation of what happened dawned on David after the attack (Credit: ITV)
However, Corrie boss Kate Oakes has always hoped that the story might help other victims.
She said the soap wanted to highlight the “culture of silence” around male sexual assault.
Both the soap’s writers and cast were advised on how to tackle the sensitive storyline by Duncan Craig – founder and chief executive of the Manchester branch of Male Survivors – who himself is a survivor of rape and sexual abuse.
He told ITV News: “I found out the actual statistic and how many more men – in response to what happened on Coronation Street – had picked up the phone and asked for help.
“I just think it’s mind-blowing and I’m so proud of Kay, of Ryan, of Jack, the writers and the Coronation Street team for presenting what is a really difficult story but an incredibly important story.”
Duncan Craig and Ryan Clayton discuss the storyline on ITV News (Credit: ITV)
This is the first time Corrie has tackled the issue of male rape. However, the issue is not new to soaps as Hollyoaks was the first to cover it – first in 2000 with Luke Morgan and in 2015 with John Paul McQueen.
Coronation Street airs on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 7.30pm and 8.30pm on ITV.
If you or a loved one have gone through a similar experience and would like to talk to someone in confidence, please visit survivorsuk.org
