To not find the Bethany grooming storyline realistic?

[Soyamilkisniceintea]

I guess because she has a concerned family worried about her?

I can't help but think a girl who was the victim of grooming would be more likely to be very isolated.

Is Mel the other one who's always around? Surely she's twigged Bethany is the other girlfriend?

Mel is the girl who works in the shop yeah. She knows Bethany is being treated as his girlfriend but she also knows Bethany is being used and isn't really his girlfriend.

Mel is in on it.

My law is a bit rusty OP but a quick google brought this up.

I've felt there is something not realistic about this storyline too. Perhaps it's the bad acting from Nathan and Mel but the Mel character i just don't buy. Either they haven't given her enough to work with or she just isn't acting it very well.

Ah, so it's under 18? But then the age of consent is 16. It's confusing.

Yes, mel has groomed Bethany too- being like a friend and encouraging her to do her vlog thingies.

Ah, I've missed all that Harriet, I stopped watching for a bit!

I think its realistic. Both Bethany and Sarah have big mouths, Sarah does not seem like a mother in control of her daughter, and I find their relationship very immature. In that sense the situation mirrors real life.

What I like about it is that it could convincingly demonstrate to feisty teenagers that they are just as open to manipulation as others perceived to be more vulnerable. Whether the show atttracts any such viewers is another matter.

Maybe it's just all moved a bit fast for my liking. I guess that's soaps though.

www.reclaim.org.uk/blog/reign-blog-white-girls-from-broken-homes-and-the-negative-impact-of-cse-stereotypes
This is a good read.

No, see, that's really not what I meant, Wall

I could go into an affluent private school and find girls who were groomed, or a sink schools bottom set, I know that. But in both cases, I think an abuser would be looking for a type, hard to put my finger on - but not Bethany.

I actually think they've done this really well - it doesn't seem to have been rushed at all compared to some of the storylines. Also, Sarah has had a new baby, so clearly her focus can't be all Bethany - just think that may have had a part to play.

I find it really creepy and sad.

Children are vulnerable because they are children and groomers, particularly adult groomers, have power they do not have. I have never seen evidence of any sort of pattern.

But again, if the age of consent is 16, but one is groomed as an under 18 yo, what does this mean in practice? That you aren't 'really' consenting at 16?

Again it's hard to explain with 'pattern', but I think there's something not there, some confidence or support thing, I don't know!

The great thing about this storyline is that it is challenging perceptions and stereotypes around CSE. Over the age of 16 is typically but not always to do with inappropriate relationships, would you agree that a teacher could have a relationship with a student if they were 17?

Of course not but teachers have always had professional standards to adhere to.

Okay for Mr Jones to sleep with his OWN 16 yo student? No.
Okay for Mr Jones to sleep with a 16 yo who is a student somewhere? Yes, AFAIK.

but not Bethany

I actually think that she was portrayed as exactly the sort of girl whom an abuser might target. She was new to her school (and the country) and had been quite badly bullied. Her mother has a new baby and is now going out with the man whom Bethany wanted to go out with, but made a fool out of herself over.

There is no type which are groomed, however certain vulnerabilities are looked for. I have worked with many young people who have been groomed and they do not all fit a certain type. You have raised some good points Highinthesky. He is purposely grooming her fir his and his friends benefit. A relationship that turns abusive is very different than grooming.

Yes, the certain vulnerabilities. I think that's what I was wondering about Bethany.

To continue with the Corrie theme, for instance, I'd find it more realistic if it was Faye.

But it's a drama, on before the watershed. It still has to be shown within the boundaries of a soap and is accessible and therefore can't be as realistic (and grim) as it would be in RL. I think the device of using seemingly ordinary blokes is a good move. He's a fairly good looking gu, well spoken guy with a business, he doesn't fit any stereotype of groomer (because there is no stereotypical groomer.)

Oh, definitely - and do groomers always know they are grooming? (Rhetorical Q again :))

Again it's hard to explain with 'pattern', but I think there's something not there, some confidence or support thing, I don't know!

I think that's a mistake and you are adding insult to injury to some families of children who have been groomed.

Bethany has low self esteem - has been a victim of bullying and therefore isn't that confident, so is a type that could easily be manipulated...

This story has been going on for ages and therefore the pace is realistic.