Lime Pictures’ soap, Hollyoaks, is to highlight a common, but under-recognised form of child sexual abuse in a new storyline focusing on twins Jack Junior and Frankie Osborne.
The team has been working closely with the charity SARSAS during production, with a spokesperson explaining that sibling sexual abuse is under-reported due to a “lack of societal awareness.”
“I was thrilled when SARSAS was approached by the Hollyoaks team to ensure that their storyline about sibling sexual abuse was portrayed in a sensitive and accurate way. It has been a rewarding process to work with them on scripts, scenes and storylines – they have remained open to feedback and suggestions throughout,” said SARSAS CEO Claire Bloor.
“Continuing dramas such as Hollyoaks have the potential to reach huge audiences and create change in the national conversation. This storyline is an opportunity to shine a light on the under-researched and under-discussed topic of sibling sexual abuse. We hope that it will raise awareness of both the prevalence of this issue and the devastating impact it can have on those impacted by it.
“Through the portrayal of Frankie’s story, we can take a step towards removing the shame and stigma so often attached to sexual abuse and the taboo of talking about it that allows it to thrive, in silence.”
Actors Isabelle Smith and Ryan Mulvey joined the soap this year and will be at the centre of the storyline.
The script will explore the dynamics of the pair within the family, and how their parents choose to investigate Frankie’s distressing behaviour, as she struggles to deal with the sexual abuse she has experienced.
“Sibling sexual abuse is a subject matter that desperately merits attention and recognition. It’s one of the most infrequently disclosed forms of sexual abuse, yet the statistics are startling. Hollyoaks is shining a light on this issue for the first time in a long-term soap storyline because we need to get this conversation started amongst our multi-generational audience,” explained Hollyoaks Executive Producer, Hannah Cheers.
“Our research, story, script and writing teams have devoted themselves to telling this story truthfully and passionately. Huge thanks goes to SARSAS for their unwavering support in helping us take this on. The performances delivered by our brilliant newcomers Isabelle Smith and Ryan Mulvey are breath-taking. I believe this story will make an impact for years to come and I am proud that Hollyoaks is still breaking new ground almost four decades on. That’s what we’re here for.”
Channel 4 commissioning Exec for Hollyoaks, Ben Wadey added:
“Hollyoaks has gotten off to a trailblazing start in 2024 setting up bold new stories and introducing new characters and we’re hugely proud of the strength and quality of what is set to play out in the coming months. We will continue to be brave, never shying away from important issues and telling stories that others wouldn’t dare to. By shining a light on sibling sexual abuse in this groundbreaking and meticulously researched storyline, we hope to raise awareness, reduce stigma and represent unheard voices in a way only Channel 4 can.”
