Corrie star reflects on Amy's ordeal as she knows people who had similar ordeals

2023-03-03

Coronation Street is currently tackling the issue of non-consensual sex in a storyline that has seen Aaron Sandford (James Craven) rape Amy Barlow (Elle Mulvaney).

It is an issue that is all too common today, with 1 in every 3 women experiencing sexual violence in their lifetime, according to the World Health Organisation in statistics collated by The Schools Consent Project.

Actress Elle Mulvaney has revealed that she feels she has a ‘huge responsibility’ in tackling this storyline, and revealed the close connection she feels to it.

‘As awful as it sounds I know so many people who’ve gone through something like this’, she revealed. ‘This is not uncommon and I feel like it’s really interesting to delve into these grey areas and to really talk about consent because yes, Amy didn’t say no, but she didn’t say yes.’

Coronation Street has worked closely with The Schools Consent Project on this storyline in order to portray it realistically and accurately.

The Schools Consent Project is a charity established in early 2015 which sends legally trained volunteers into schools to deliver workshops on the legal definition of sexual consent and key sexual offences.

‘It’s about looking at these indicators – was she enthusiastically taking part? Was she doing non-verbal yes’s? All of these things are what makes the topic of consent so interesting and I think that because it isn’t black and white we’re able to open up all these different conversations which is really important’, Elle explained.

‘The Schools Consent Project were brilliant. They really helped you put a different perspective on things because they were talking to us about these different indicators for consent such as the ones I’ve already said about non-verbal communicators.’

Iain MacLeod, Executive Producer for Coronation Street, revealed what he hopes to achieve through this storyline.

‘Since we started discussing this storyline, I have been struck by the number of people who have put their hands up to say they’ve had a similar experience to Amy. This story will be hugely relatable and we hope it will prompt important discussions among our audience about issues around consent.’

Elle also shared what she hopes viewers will take form this harrowing storyline.

‘I hope it allows this to be less of a grey area. If somebody can come away and have a think the next time they’re going to do something – has this person given me verbal or non verbal indicators that they would like to have sex? Have they shown me enthusiastically that they want to be involved in this or have they not?

Statistics from The Schools Consent Project

1 in 4 women in the UK and many children and men are victims of sex crimes (Rape Crisis)
1 in every 3 three women experience sexual violence during their lifetime. (World Health Organisation)
1 in 3 girls experience unwanted sexual attention in their school corridors (Ofsted)
80% of girls and 55% of boys said unwanted or inappropriate comments of a sexual nature were made a lot or sometimes to them or their peers (Ofsted)
Nearly 90% of girls and 50% of boys said being sent unwanted sexually explicit pictures or videos happens a lot or sometimes to them or their peers (Ofsted)
92% of girls and 74% of boys said sexist name-calling happens a lot or sometimes to them or their peers (Ofsted)
91% of reported rapes never get charged
2% of reported rapes result in conviction

‘And if that can make one person think before they just have sex with somebody, they don’t know if they’re awake or not because they haven’t bothered checking – then I feel like something’s been learned from the story.

‘Even just opening up conversations. I’ve spoken to so many people at Corrie who’ve said “when I heard about this storyline I’ve had conversations with my boys” or “I’ve had conversations with my girls” and that, for me, is a huge impact of the story. Because taking home those conversations and having those really important discussions, especially with children or young teens particularly, it’s just about education.

‘It’s about informing people. Young adults who are growing into adults and are becoming more sexually active, them being educated and having this awareness, they’re a lot better equipped to deal with the situation than perhaps some people might be now.’

Source: Read Full Article