'Coronation Street' Viewers Have A Strong Reaction To David Platt Rape Scene

'The amount of jokes on Twitter is EXACTLY why men don't report stuff like this.'

‘Coronation Street’ viewers have been praising last night’s (16 March) episode, which saw David Platt becoming the victim of a rape at the hands of a man he thought was his friend.

Viewers didn’t actually see the assault taking place, though it was heavily suggested, with Josh dropping GHB into David’s drink and attempting to put his hands on him.

Barely conscious, David was then thrown onto Josh’s bed, at which point Josh slammed the bedroom door shut behind him.

Josh and David in last night's episode
Josh and David in last night's episode
ITV

The reaction to the scenes - which is only the third time male rape has been portrayed in a British soap, and the first ever for ‘Corrie’ - has had a strong reaction from viewers, with many lauding the soap for shining a light on such an important and serious topic that isn’t often tackled on television:

I think corrie have done a good job with this rape storyline build up, showing its not always the obv big bad wolf, sometimes it is the nice guy that you trust, the one who is everybodies friend. Hope they do the aftermath just as well. @JackPShepherd88 @RClayton92 👏 #Corrie

— Claire bella (@whitestofurwave) March 16, 2018

Absolutely horrible to watch but well done to #corrie for covering such an important topic. Men are victims of rape and sexual assault too! #coronationstreet

— 🤖Georgina Hollifield🤖 (@GeorginaYEP) March 16, 2018

I think Coronation Street having a male rape victim is extremely important, it’s something that happens so often but is something that people pay little attention too; and the fact that it’s David Platt will show people how anyone can be a victim to it. Bravo 👏🏻

— Mollie Eddy (@xeirex) March 16, 2018

Fair play to Corrie for demonstrating that men are also victims of rape, absolutely horrendous scenes to watch tonight #Corrie #coronationstreet

— lucy dawson (@ludawinthesky) March 16, 2018

We need to dispel myths of masculinity across society. Top respect @ITV @itvcorrie showing a male rape victim storyline tonight. Male rape incidents happen more often than many people think. Anyone can be a victim of this horrific crime #Corrie #DavidPlatt #Josh #CoronationStreet

— Cllr Joe Porter 🇬🇧 (@cllrjoeporter) March 16, 2018

Say what you like but @itvcorrie are doing an amazing job with this rape storyline. Males get raped too. David is a character you don’t really imagine getting raped, it shows it really can happen to anyone. A very important storyline. Good job coronation street!

— 💙 (@daydreambleu) March 16, 2018

The David male rape story on coronation street is SO important, the acting is incredible and breaks the silence around male sexual assault , the people making jokes about it absolutely disgust me and this is the reason why men feel they cannot talk about their emotions.

— Ellie🌻 (@elliesophiaaa) March 16, 2018

Congrats to @JackPShepherd88 and @RClayton92 for doing this storyline and acknowledging male rape. #Corrie always deal with the serious and hard hitting real life situations and that's always important. 👏👏👏👏@itvcorrie #CoronationStreet

— Stewart WK (@MrDetailed) March 16, 2018

Just caught up on Corrie...very disturbing to watch @JackPShepherd88 after everything David has been through in Corrie and this happens...a very sad storyline but highlighting what happens in reality x jack you are amazing at what you do...keep up the good work xxx

— Victoria Murphy x :) (@VMurphy88) March 17, 2018

@JackPShepherd88 Absolute outstanding acting from yourself and Ryan. This is a dark issue but people need to be made aware that this does happen to men. Well done xx

— Leigh Salt (@LeighSalt) March 17, 2018

So difficult to watch but so important to highlight. Brilliant work from Kate Oates, Tony Hammond, @JOJEHARVEY, Vicky Thomas, @JackPShepherd88, @RClayton92 and the whole team x #Corrie

— Sally Ann Matthews (@SallyAnMatthews) March 16, 2018

Other ‘Coronation Street’ fans were shocked at the amount of jokes that had been made on their Twitter timelines, speaking out to explain that this is exactly why it’s important to raise awareness of difficult subjects like male rape:

The amount of jokes about this David platt rape storyline is disgusting; this is why men never speak up about sexual assault or mental health and why men have the highest rate in suicide if this is how people view it!!! #CoronationStreet #corrie #davidplatt

— April Whitehouse (@aprilwhitehouse) March 16, 2018

Rape isn't a joke, whether it's a male or female victim. It's a serious and prevalent topic. You might want to assess your mental state if you believe it is funny. #coronationstreet #corrie #davidplatt

— Danny Freeman 🥃 (@DannyAFTM) March 16, 2018

You only have to read comments about Coronation Street male rape storyline to understand why male victims feel too humiliated to come forward. I commend the soap & David Platt for doing the story & help start a conversation hopefully encouraging victims to come forward.#Corrie

— Firstplacelast😜 (@Firstplacelast) March 16, 2018

Seeing so many people tweeting jokes & taking the piss out of David Platts rape ordeal storyline on Coronation street. Rape is not a joke. Male or female. Insensitive arseholes.

— Kieran (@KieranMarkhaam) March 16, 2018

The amount of people on twitter taking the piss out of the male rape storyline on corrie is absolutely vile! It's safe to say ignorance is well and trully alive in society! #CoronationStreet

— Ross Mitchell (@Ross23Mitchell) March 16, 2018

And yet the vile joking continues! I'm ashamed for all the people making these sick comments and jokes about rape. Clearly have no morals. It's not a laughing matter. #corrie #coronationstreet

— Manning1985 (@Manning1985) March 16, 2018

I thought that dude was either gonna rape David or turn out to be Richard hilmans son 😔 poor David- also the people joking about this rape should be ashamed- rape is never funny in any circumstance #corrie #CoronationStreet #DavidPlatt

— Andrew Beeres (@Legen_dary93) March 16, 2018

I know David Platt isn’t real & @itvcorrie isn’t real but making jokes about a show highlighting male rape is too much. This is exactly why it was on before the watershed & why more awareness is needed.

— Sel (@MancSel) March 17, 2018

Some of the comments I have read about @itvcorrie David Platt rape storyline are horrendous. I am shocked that we live in a society we’re small minded people think it’s acceptable to joke about rape. Tv shoe or no tv show I hope victims find the strength to speak out 💖💔

— Yasmin Atherton (@YasminAth_x) March 16, 2018

#Corrie The amount of jokes on here about the David Platt rape is EXACTLY why men don’t report stuff like this! And women too! Disgusting 😢 Amazing work @JackPShepherd88 and team. Heartbreaking!

— Ibrahim Banks (@TheShowOff85) March 16, 2018

Prior to the beginning of the storyline, soap actor Jack P Shepherd - who has played David Platt since he was a child - spoke out about what happens next, revealing why writers chose to have his character initially remain silent.

He said: “David’s reaction and decision to remain quiet because he feels ashamed about what has happened is not uncommon.”

To ensure the storyline was handled sensitively and accurately, ‘Corrie’ boss Kate Oates worked closely with Survivors Manchester, an organistion set up to help men and boys affected by sexual assault.

Ahead of last night’s scenes, HuffPost UK caught up with their founder and chief executive Duncan Craig about why this is an important turning point in British soaps.

  • Rape Crisis services for women and girls who have been raped or have experienced sexual violence - 0808 802 9999
  • Survivors UK offers support for men and boys - 0203 598 3898
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