[Mrluvaluva]

Coronation Street helped a 17-year-old boy come forward about a rape attack years ago.

The boy explained that watching a storyline involving the rape of Carla (Alison King) by Frank (Andrew Lancel) gave him the courage to tell police about the incident.

Daniel Bird, 24, from Sale Moor, was convicted of four counts of rape and sentenced to four years in prison. The victim was 8 at the time of the incident in 2004, while Bird was 15.

A spokesperson for Coronation Street said: "Having worked closely with the St Mary's Sexual Assault Referral Centre in Manchester on this storyline, we are pleased that the portrayal and subsequent aftermath of Carla's rape on Coronation Street has helped this victim to seek the appropriate help and guidance needed.

"We never seek to highlight an issue - just tell the best story for every character. When we do touch on issues we obviously strive to make sure our research is flawless and the depiction an accurate and truthful one."

Dr Catherine White, Clinical Director of the St Mary's Centre, added: "St Mary's provided advice to script writers and producers on how to portray the actual rape as well as advising on what the character might expect in terms of services at a Sexual Assault Referral Centre.

"St Mary's was also on the set during filming providing advice so that the portrayal of SARC services was as accurate as possible.

"It is encouraging that our work with Coronation Street has resulted in people coming forward and reporting their experience and ensuring they get the ongoing support they need."

Coronation Street producer Phil Collinson defended the rape storyline back in February.


Digital Spy

This highlights how certain subjects, when tackled by soaps, can help people by relating to their issues and offer them support. Don't see stories like this very often.