Coronation Street fans took to Twitter to praise the show for its decision to broadcast a child grooming storyline involving Bethany Platt.
Coronation Street’s decision to broadcast a child grooming storyline has been commended by viewers.
The ITV soap has been screening scenes in which character Bethany Platt (Lucy Fallon) has been targeted by Nathan Curtis (Chris Harper), a much older man.
In Friday night’s double episode, Nathan manipulated the teenager by arranging for her to get drunk before taking her back to his house.
He had earlier been arrested over suspicions about another girl’s disappearance, but was later released and asked Bethany to provide an alibi for him.
In an interview with the Sunday People, he said: "It’s massively important I get this right for them. “We want to reach out to people to let them know help is out there, and to tell abusers they can’t get away with it. It’s the most important storyline I’ve ever had.
“Half the problem is getting people to come forward. It’s been said that for every one person reporting abuse, another seven don’t.”
Earlier this month the NSPCC introduced Chris to a child abuse victim, now 20, who has been advising the show’s writers.
Soap fans thought it was important that some light was shed on the issue of grooming youngsters.
@BlueButterflyuk tweeted: Really uncomfortable viewing this #Bethany storyline but needs to be shown #scary #CoronationStreet
@Vikki__Black wrote: Bethany is in so much danger. This storyline is so good. Showing how easy it is for young people to be groomed. #corrie @itvcorrie
@hogwarts_lwt said: This storyline is making me feel sick, glad it's being shown tho #Corrie
The soap ended by telling viewers they should visit itv.com/advice if affected by the issues in Bethany’s storyline.
Coronation Street continues on ITV on Monday at 7.30pm.
