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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To think Hollyoaks should move on from Luke’s rape in 1999?

41 replies

Appleavocado · 30/01/2022 10:01

I dip in and out of this programme but I was obsessed with it in the late 90s/early 2000s.

Luke came back in it a few years ago and every episode I’ve seen since has a storyline about the rape (1999 I think.)

Apart from being a bit boring now AIBU to think it’s probably not entirely responsible to promote the idea that rape will ruin your whole life?

OP posts:

sociallydistained · 30/01/2022 11:33

*important watch

Elasmotherium · 30/01/2022 11:44

I don't think you have been watching properly OP.

There hasn't been a constant mentioning of Luke's rape since his return. What has happened is that some time after his return, his son and others were abused by their football coach which obviously brought back memories of his own ordeal, having also been linked to football rivalry/jealousy of his attackers.

Then a long interval where his main storylines have been switching partners - leaving Mandy for Holly and dealing with his illness leading up to a terminal diagnosis involving progressive early onset dementia.

Most recently (in the last 2 weeks at most) the rape has been mentioned because one of his attackers was released and wanted to meet him to apologise. Luke's dementia has accelerated and now he doesn't remember the man who attacked him or the events than happened. This is hard for his family, especially his younger sister to process.

It's not a one note constant hark back to the rape, more recognition that it has lasting impact on Luke and those around him.

Original poster

Appleavocado · 30/01/2022 11:49

Fair enough - it’s definitely every time I’ve tuned in it’s been a fairly central storyline.

(NB - Luke went off with HOLLY?!)

OP posts:

Elasmotherium · 30/01/2022 11:51

Oops - no sorry it's Cindy not Holly that he is with now... lol

Original poster

Appleavocado · 30/01/2022 11:53

Holly wouldn’t be unusual by Hollyoaks standards!

OP posts:

Elasmotherium · 30/01/2022 11:54

I know - it's like a relationship merry-go-round.

Plus there is always at least one serial killer / multiple murderer living in the area...

HesterAndPearlInBrightSunshine · 30/01/2022 12:06

I think the issue with OP's post is the use of the expression 'move on from'... surviving sexual abuse is about coming to terms with the scars whilst acknowledging that they're there to stay. 'Moving on' suggests something definitive, 'closure', which is not realistic. I've not watched Hollyoaks in a very long time so don't know whether of not those storylines are exploitative of a sensitive subject, but I'd say recognising that something like rape will continue to impact's someone's life continually and in many different ways is a more realistic approach than pretending all's fine and dandy because time has passed.
And time itself is not necessarily a healer.

freecuthbert · 30/01/2022 12:08

Lots of rape victims feel like their lives are ruined by what happened to them though, even if as an outsider you think it is more nuanced than that. For me yes I do think it was a defining moment in my life and it is something I think about every day, even though you say it's not like that for rape victims. I don't show it on the outside but I feel like it is always with me. And plenty of rape victims absolutely do have to face their attackers years after the event, because lots of people are raped by family members and people known to them and their family. I feel like you're basing your viewpoint on how rape victims should feel on your own experience of sexual assault. Some of the work I have done with rape victims including children is absolutely harrowing. I think you are being insensitive. I haven't seen the soap, but a PP has pointed out that it is not how you describe anyway. It's a shame that female rape victims in the soap don't have similar storylines showing lasting trauma. The solution to this isn't to hush up any mention of it for Luke to make it equal ground.

Original poster

Appleavocado · 30/01/2022 12:10

So if they wanted to show the impact of child sexual abuse by family members they could, couldn’t they?

Just happens to be the storyline that got them ratings?

OP posts:

freecuthbert · 30/01/2022 12:11

I said family members and people known to them and their family, but I also should have said partners and exes including the father to their children. Lots of reasons someone will see their attacker around. Very very few go to prison anyway so the attackers get to continue living their life as normal so if you live local there is every chance you can bump into them even if they're not part of your life.

Original poster

Appleavocado · 30/01/2022 12:12

Sure, but that’s not what they are doing!

OP posts:

freecuthbert · 30/01/2022 12:13

@Appleavocado

So if they wanted to show the impact of child sexual abuse by family members they could, couldn’t they?

Just happens to be the storyline that got them ratings?

They should do this I think. But as @Elasmotherium said, the storyline isn't constantly rehashing it and drumming it up for views insensitively, it seems quite realistic to me from how they have described it. Like I said, the solution isn't to hush up one person's rape to make up for not talking about others.

freecuthbert · 30/01/2022 12:15

@Appleavocado

Sure, but that’s not what they are doing!

Well they're not bloody doing what you think they're doing based on what someone else said who's actually watched the soap!

Elasmotherium · 30/01/2022 12:16

I know I'm sounding like a Hollyoaks apologist on this thread, but to be fair they have done a lot to highlight issues that other soaps either don't touch or treat very superficially for shock value.

They have covered child sexual abuse in the last few years through the Cleo McQueen storyline where she was abused by her stepfather Pete. It's had ongoing consequences for Cleo including a long spell of drug abuse and the impact on her choose of partner and relationship issues.

Plus the football coach storyline as I mentioned earlier. Which also reference previous victims (now adults) who had to come to terms with their own abuse as children and the fact that their abuser carried in abusing children.

freecuthbert · 30/01/2022 12:17

Anyway OP, you just come across as really insensitive and seem to think rape victims just move on from it all after a few years. In reality, for most rape victims, they never "move on" or get over it, and many years on different life events can make the rape feel particularly fresh. Maybe don't watch Hollyoaks if you think a storyline about rape trauma annoys you.

betwixtlives · 30/01/2022 12:21

I can’t see where you’ve said you’ve been raped but I’m sorry that you have. Your posts are insensitive and totally lacking in intelligence through your inability to accept that rape survivors don’t have the same experience as you

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