About the rape scene in Eastenders.

[Bambambini]

They are discussing it on Mathew Wright and some viewers have phoned in to say they weren't happy to have viewed it with the questions it raised as they were watching it with their 4 and 7 yr olds.

I know it was before the watershed but I'm surprised folk let their young children watch this show. So they are offended with the rape and having to deal with their young kids questions but have no problem with their kids watching all the other unpleasant stuff that goes on in these shows?

I don't understand why you would let children as young as that watch East Enders either, or why they didn't turn it off.
I don't watch the programme myself because the trailers put me off.

It was well enough publicised in advance.

After moving here, I learned quick that the watershed means little when it comes to the soaps!

I don't even let my 11 year old watch Eastenders. It is an adult programme. Why do so many parents let their kids sit and watch adult t.v?

YANBU

I don't understand why you would sit there watching with such a young child. Even if you were caught out and didn't realise until it was too late, surely you would switch it off?! Why keep going?

I found the bleach scene particularly disturbing and an awful example to set to all the young teens that would have been watching.

My 5 almost 6 year old is in bed by 7:30 ... I wouldn't ban the 10 and 12 year old from watching it but I don't watch it so it wouldn't generally be on anyway.

Holyoaks is on at 6:30 but is hardly suitable viewing for children - some parents need their bumps felt !

When I have spoken to parents that allow their children to watch EastEnders (y1/2 so 6yo) they have told me "it is just like real life, isn't it"

Erm.. No. No it is not like real life. If it is like your life then there is something wrong with your lifestyle and you need to get help now

I think it's just that rape is just going too far - but no problem with such young children watching all the violence, aggression, horrible characters, abuse and just often such an aggressive and unpleasant atmosphere with aggressive and unpleasant characters.

Did I overuse aggressive and unpleasant there?

I'm afraid I knew I wouldn't be friends with a mum when I found out her young kids watched East Enders. The mum is nice enough but too different an outlook and parenting style to be friends. Given the story lines and drama in many of the soaps, I do think they should be moved after the watershed. They have gradually become less and less suitable viewing for children that I'm sure if they were introduced as a completely new drama now no one would think twice about a post 9pm time.

Real life - ha, ha! For some maybe - unfortunately. I used to wonder why the hell anyone would want to move into Brookside Close, Albert Square or Ramsey Street - don't they know the whirlwind of violence and destruction that goes on in these places. FGS, just move to the next street and do yourself a favour!

Children shouldn't be watching easterners, I don't think it is suitable watching.

To much adult themes.

I wouldn't know how to react if someone was going to rape me, but I think I would freeze.

Highway... May I suggest you educate yourself a little on victim blaming and rape myths before posting on a thread about rape ever again?

I'm not blaming her I'm just shocked that it's the way EE decided to portray it. I hope they don't decide that he can get away with it too!

Highway I think the fact she had a shower afterwards would remove most of the evidence.

And I actually think it supported women who don't fight back for whatever reason or aren't covered in bruises and injuries (again very common). Too many of the public already think rape can only be rape if there are injuries - no injuries show that it wasn't really rape or the women was just lying or being malicious or just a silly bint. The rape in this show actually showed the opposite and just how awful and aggressive and upsetting non stranger rape can be and that it's still awful even if you aren't beaten half to death.

Why shouldn't EastEnders portray in that, ie. a realistic way Highway55? I can not believe you wrote "She just bent over and let him". She didn't let him do anything. He raped her.

So, we have two people saying, "I have never been in this situation, I have no idea what it's all about, but I absolutely know that I would scream and shout." Really? You have no idea what the situation is like, but you are absolutely sure of your reaction?

You might want to look up the. "Flight, fight or freeze response."

Sorry, one person. I couldn't read the posts for all the victim blaming.

The thing is Highway65, you might not see it as victim blaming, but it is.

You dont know how you'd react in that situation, and freezing is a very common and normal reaction. Anyway a survivor reacts is normal for them, and saying that you would have done X,Y,Z makes you question what you did, makes you wonder if it was your fault.

If only I'd not worn that dress, those shoes, being alone in my own kitchen

So they showed a normal reaction and lets be honest him getting away with it would be very normal too.

Okay, okay, no need to flame me. There will be plenty of people out there that agree with me. I did say I don't know what I would do. But under her circumstances I wouldn't have been so shocked as to do nothing.

Bent over and let him was the wrong choice of phrase, I apologise. I could clearly see that he raped her.

I wish I lived in your world Highway65 - where I could always be certain of my actions. Do you really think that someone raping you wouldn't shock you?

Thanks for apologising Highway, but being in shock means you won't react in a particular prescribed way. Sometimes you can be in shock and 'do nothing' because you're frozen with fear. Every survivor of rape does what they can to survive at the time.