Trigger warning.To think EastEnders has

[Iliveinalighthousewiththeghost]

Seriously done rape and attempted victims a very bad disservice. With Dean being found not guilty of the attempted rape of Roxy and also not being even charged let alone convicted with Raping Linda.
Im disgusted with EE and I doubt I'm the only one. Another kick in the teeth for victims and survivors of this henious crime

[MumOnTheRunCatchingUp]

How is it a kick in the teeth? Everyone knows it's not real and in no way indicative of real life

Come on, it's eastenders. A cheap unrealistic ( in every way) tv show

[thisismeusernameything]

But this is what happens in reality often

[DerekSprechenZeDick]

It's actually very realistic as convictions don't happen every single time

[Iliveinalighthousewiththeghost]

I know it's not real, but I just don't think it would encourage rape victims to come forward

[TheOnlyLivingBoyInNewCross]

In no way indicative of real life? Do you know the conviction rate for rape?

Eastenders have been working with Rape Crisis throughout the storyline and as Rape Crisis said immediately after the programme, it is absolutely indicative of real life.

[WomanWithAltitude]

I think it's actually fairly accurate. The odds of a rapist ever going to prison are extremely low.

Most aren't reported.
Of those that are reported only a small percentage are charged and end up going to trial.
At trial, a large proportion are acquitted.

Sending the message to victims that reporting will guarantee a conviction and a heavy sentence would be doing them a huge disservice, because it wouldn't be true.

[WomanWithAltitude]

I reported my rape and got a conviction, but if another victim asked me about it I wouldn't sugarcoat the truth. I wouldn't pretend that the process was easy or that a good outcome was likely. Outcomes like mine are not the norm... far from it.

It really bloody annoys me when people post on MN threads "oh you MUST report, because then he'll be punished and prevented from harming others!" They have no idea what they're talking about.

[wheresthel1ght]

Yabu

It is massively realistic and the reason why so many rapes (including my own) go unreported.

I actually think they have done wonders with the story and I don't particularly watch it. I think I have seen a dozen episodes in the last 15 years. But form what I have seen they are focussing on the victims reactions and the effect on them including the effect of the not guilty verdicts. Good on them I say!

[BeenThereDoneThatForgotten]

Haven't seen the last 2 episodes but I understood they were going to avoid the court stuff and focus on the feelings and reactions of the victims and their families. And not on the rapist. EE don't always get it right but I do think they try to engage with relevant support agencies to make things as accurate as possible. Sounds like this was the case here.

[BeenThereDoneThatForgotten]

Haven't seen the last 2 episodes but I understood they were going to avoid the court stuff and focus on the feelings and reactions of the victims and their families. And not on the rapist. EE don't always get it right but I do think they try to engage with relevant support agencies to make things as accurate as possible. Sounds like this was the case here.

[DextersMistress]

I thought it was very realistic, especially the admissions from Kathy and Ronnie. It is unfortunately very common, after I was raped the amount of people who told me it had happened to them too shocked me. Most never reported, others did and their attackers were acquitted. Like mine.

[MumOnTheRunCatchingUp]

Er, no. Eastenders is no way indicative of real life. At all. This verdict is to further the storyline the way the writers need it to go

If the storyline was to keep the actor in the show then a different result would be reached. It's a show ( where people steal babies and bury others instead and where amazing recoveries are made and bodies of dead people are hidden to protect murdering children) they may well proclaim they work with rape crisis but it's not a storyline to 'help' the public in any way

[TheOnlyLivingBoyInNewCross]

So are you arguing that in real life then, most rapists are convicted? If Eastenders is so adrift from real life?

No-one is arguing that the programme in general reflects real life. They are, however, stating the fact that in real life most rape cases do not end in a guilty verdict. In Eastenders, the rape case did not end in a guilty verdict. Therefore...

[DailyFaily]

I'd have thought it more useful for EE to highlight the truth that most people who experience rape do not get justice, that's the truth of the matter and we should all be horrified by it.

[Babyzoo]

Yabu.

Actually it's very realistic. Hardly any rapists get charged let alone convicted.

Most women like Linda and Roxy aren't believed by people.

Perhaps this will make people think.

[AnchorDownDeepBreath]

I know it's not real, but I just don't think it would encourage rape victims to come forward

Well, you can argue that, or you can flip it and argue that actually, conviction rates for rape are shockingly low, and women should know this. I imagine that it's comforting to some rape victims to know that it's not that they personally weren't believed, it's that rape convictions are notoriously difficult to get. Otherwise victims may expect that a conviction is likely, and be crushed when that turns out to not be the case.

There's a balancing act here, certainly, but in these situations programmes should lead towards reflecting reality. Eastenders can do a better job of informing people about disbelief and conviction rates than it can of encouraging victims to report rape.

[Babyzoo]

And actually I think it would be a huge disservice to pretend that rape victims reporting will get a good outcome.

Ime these be lucky if the police believe them let alone a jury.

[ImNotJoeMyNameIsHarry]

I think it's pretty realistic of true life. It's the system that has let people down. I've mentioned it before but my friend was beaten and raped and even with a guilty verdict the guy walked free with a slap on the wrist. My poor friend had to move away from her home because of the threats.

[Shallishanti]

YABU for the reasons mentioned above- actually it does a greater service because the viewers KNOW that he was guilty- imagine someone watching this story then serving on a jury, they are more likely to believe the victim, aren't they.

[Snapespeare]

I didn't expect a conviction. The thing I took from it was the strength of the women, looking out for each other and the recovery of Linda. That felt important - the story being, you might not get a conviction, but people who matter will believe you and you will be ok. ,

[Eminybob]

I totally understand the points above, but I can't help but think that the storyline may discourage victims from coming forward because they know it's unlikely they will be believed.
And worse, may encourage rapists because they will feel they can get away with it.

But I agree that it is at least consistent with real life. Sadly.

[TaterTots]

To pretend they're always convicted would be irresponsible.