Eastenders historic abuse storyline advised by EVAW

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Eastenders aired an hour-long special episode last night (18th of April 2024), featuring a storyline where a female character was sexually abused by her church pastor.

Many people will have tuned into Eastenders hour long episode last night, which saw one of the characters, Yolanda Trueman, sexually assaulted by Pastor Clayton.

For those who do not watch the soap, this assault came about following a period of grooming. Previous episodes have seen the Pastor getting closer to Yolande, wife of long-standing Eastenders character Patrick Trueman.

The special episode also included flashbacks, where it transpired that the show’s Pastor Clayton had previously assaulted other women, with their own accounts of the incidents.

Eastenders historic abuse storyline

End Violence Against Women Coalition (EVAW), a group of feminist organisations working to end violence and girls, worked with the Eastenders team to ensure that the storyline was “sensitive and truthful, and avoids reinforcing harmful myths and stereotypes about sexual violence.”

As stated in their article on this collaboration, their aim was to use the medium of popular television programming to raise awareness about such a sensitive subject, as well as how society and officialdom responds to it:

“TV programmes reach millions of viewers each night in their homes, with storylines often reflecting the social issues they witness or experience in their everyday lives.

“These storylines can therefore have a big impact on our collective understanding and attitudes towards these issues. This is particularly true of sexual violence, which is so often hidden and kept secret.”

The aim was to dispel the myths of what victims look like, as well as how such misconceptions can have an effect on access to justice or simply being taken seriously.

Andrea Simon, End Violence Against Women Coalition’s Director, said:

“We’re proud to have worked with Eastenders on this important storyline. Sexual assault happens to women of all ages and backgrounds, but many find they aren’t believed or taken seriously.

“Older women, Black women and others who are marginalised are at the sharp end of this, with huge consequences for their access to justice and support.

“TV shows can play a huge role in shifting attitudes across society. We hope this storyline helps dispel myths and stereotypes about what victims and survivors look like and how perpetrators behave, and ultimately increases understanding of sexual assault.”

Fictional storylines reflecting real issues

Whilst Eastenders is or course a fictional drama with fictional characters and storylines, it regularly deals with serious real life issues. Sexual assault and grooming is not uncommon and often occurs in situations such as Yolande found herself in.

What is grooming?

Generally, grooming is where someone builds a relationship of trust with a person, either through an emotional connection or by using their status or position of power, so that they can manipulate, exploit or abuse them. It is important to be aware that grooming does not need to include any violence and often the abused person does not realise that the persons conduct is wrong.

The program also highlights that it is not just children and young people who fall victim to grooming and that adults, both male and female are at risk.

Is abuse within religious organisations common?

Unfortunately, yes. As lawyers specialising in claims for sexual abuse and assault, we come across many cases where the abuse has occurred in a religious context.

For many people, their faith is extremely important and churches and other religious places of worship should be safe places. Faith leaders, are held in high esteem by their congregations and its members will often have unquestionable trust in them.

It is not difficult to see how an individual who wants to abuse can use their position in the organisation to facilitate that abuse.

Compensation claims for abuse in religious organisations

Fortunately, the civil law provides assistance to those who have suffered such abuse. Claims have been successfully brought against the Church of England, the Catholic Church and other faith organisations in similar situations. The civil law applies equally to all faiths.

In order for any claim to be successful, you will need to establish, on the balance of probabilities, that the abuse happened and that the person who abused you was in such a position that the organisation will be held responsible.

For example, the Church of England will be automatically responsible for any sexual assaults committed by a Vicar where the assault occurred within his pastoral role. Similarly the Catholic Church are automatically responsible for the actions of their Priests.

What if the abuse occurred many years ago?

There are time limits for bringing claims, but the law in this area is complex and your solicitor will be able to a view you in detail about this. What is important to note is that the courts are sympathetic when it comes to claims for sexual assaults and abuse and claims can be brought many years after the assaults occurred.

So if you or someone you know suffered a similar assault many years ago, do not let this put you off seeking legal advice. It is your solicitors job to present you case and persuade the court to allow your claim to proceed even though it may be outside the legal time limits.

If you have any questions or concerns about potential historical abuse and how it could be taken further, you can contact one of our experts in complete confidentiality.

For advice or support from End Violence Against Women, call them any time of the day or night on 0808 500 2222.

Eastenders historic abuse storyline advised by End Violence Against Women