British Soap Opera Eastenders has been receiving praises for airing an episode focused entirely on sexual consent and rape culture.
Some have even opined it to be one of the soap’s “best” episodes to date.
At the beginning of the episode Ruby Allen, played by Louisa Lytton, arrives at Queen Vic Pub where a number of people are discussing a reported case of rape committed against an anonymous woman.
Unbeknownst to many of them, Ruby was the survivor of the attack.
The episode witness several of the BBC One soap’s characters debate the topic of sexual consent in Queen Vic, with the pub’s locals gradually figuring out Ruby’s identity as the survivor.
Lacey Turner’s performance as Stacey Slater and Lytton as Ruby has been heavily praised by EastEnders viewers, as has the impactful writing of the dialogue.
As such, lines like “I didn’t say no… You didn’t say yes,” raise an important question on sexual consent and how yes truly means yes.
Consequently, several of the viewers resorted to social media to express their appreciation of focusing on such a relevant topic.
“Did #EastEnders just have an entire 30-minute episode where they literally only discussed rape culture and what is, and isn’t consent? YES, THEY DID,” one person tweeted.
“That was the single most important episode of #EastEnders I have ever watched,” another person wrote.
Lytton has expressed her pride in the significance of the soap’s storyline, revealing that many people have reached out to her to thank her for portraying her character’s traumatic experience on screen.
“So many women have got in touch to say thank you for doing it, and how they were in a similar situation and it’s confirmed to them it was rape after initially not being believed,” the actor tells Radio Times.
“People have bought into the story, it’s sparked a lot of questions about ‘What is consent?’
“EastEnders is trying to educate and open up the conversation among viewers.”
Given that the #MeToo movement has gained strong momentum internationally, it is imperative that television presents such discussions.
Through these portrayals, it may give victims more courage to speak out against their perpetrator of sexual violence.
If you have experienced a form of sexual violence, you can contact Rape Crisis England & Wales for support on 0808 802 9999, Survivors Trust on 0808 801 0818 and Safeline on 0808 8005005.
