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Corrie gang rape fears as Bethany Platt gets trapped

Photo credit: ITV
Photo credit: ITV

From Digital Spy

Warning: This article contains discussion of grooming, which some readers may find upsetting.

Coronation Street's grooming storyline takes its most disturbing twist yet next week, as Bethany Platt is drugged and told to sleep with three different men.

Bethany has already been pimped out to Nathan Curtis's friends in recent weeks, but the evil villain steps up his sick games as he arranges another party at his flat in upcoming episodes.

As Nathan (Chris Harper) gets Bethany ready for the latest gathering, it's clear that she's dreading it once again but she feels powerless to speak up.

Determined to stay in control, Nathan secretly spikes Bethany's drink with pills and orders her to take off her engagement ring, claiming that he doesn't want their guests to be jealous.

Photo credit: ITV
Photo credit: ITV

When Nathan's friends start to arrive, the pressure is clearly getting to Bethany as she becomes increasingly drunk due to her nerves over the scary situation.

Nathan is furious and takes Bethany to one side to punish her for her drunken behaviour, but he continues to play mind games by immediately apologising and begging her to give him another chance.

When Bethany returns to the party, Nathan encourages her to go to the bedroom followed by three of his mates, having already collected cash from all of them.

Photo credit: ITV
Photo credit: ITV

Speaking about the sinister scenes, Lucy Fallon – who plays Bethany – revealed: "Bethany's drugged and confused, so she doesn't really know what's happening. Nathan directs her towards a room with three of his mates, where it looks like she's going to be raped.

"Bethany knows what's happening to her isn't right because she doesn't want to sleep with these men, but she can't see it as though she's being raped because she can't see past her love for Nathan.

"She really doesn't want to do it. She's been drugged by Nathan and he's saying that she doesn't have to do anything she doesn't want to, but it's all a form of manipulation. He might be saying that, but she knows full well what he expects of her.

"Then when there's three men in the room, she shouts for Mel. She's in shock and it's the first time she really starts to think that something is wrong – why are Nathan and Mel letting this happen to her?"

Photo credit: ITV
Photo credit: ITV

Fortunately, there could be a light at the end of the tunnel for Bethany when Shona Ramsey (Julia Goulding) finally discovers what her evil ex-boyfriend is up to.

Shona has her own dark history with Nathan, but she only makes the connection that he's Bethany's boyfriend next week and is instantly horrified by her discovery.

After Shona tells David that Bethany is in danger, they team up with Sarah and Gary by racing to the tanning salon as Shona explains what's really been going on.

The group kick through the door to the salon and head up to the flat, but have they arrived in time to save Bethany?

Photo credit: ITV
Photo credit: ITV
Photo credit: ITV
Photo credit: ITV

Either way, it's clear there's still a long road ahead as Bethany still refuses to believe any of their warnings about Nathan when they come face-to-face.

Lucy added: "At first Bethany is confused because she's been drugged, but then she's mortified that they can see what's been going on.

"But she still won't accept that Nathan's done anything wrong. She's not listening to anything that the Platts are saying to her and she refuses to believe any of it.

"It's going to take her a long time to get her head round it. She believes everything that Nathan says to her, because in her eyes, she's been in a relationship with him for the last six months. When people start saying to her that she's been groomed, she can't accept that, because to her they're engaged and they love each other.

"An important part of portraying this storyline is that a lot of survivors of grooming and sexual exploitation say that they still couldn't see what was happening to them until a long time after it had been exposed."

Photo credit: ITV
Photo credit: ITV

Coronation Street airs these scenes at 9pm all next week on ITV.


For more information on the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children and how they can help you or someone who you know is in need, please click here.

Rape Crisis England and Wales works towards the elimination of sexual violence. If you've been affected by the issues raised in this story, you can access more information on their website or by calling the National Rape Crisis Helpline on 0808 802 9999. Rape Crisis Scotland's helpline number is 08088 01 03 02.

Readers in the US are encouraged to contact RAINN, or the National Sexual Assault Hotline on 800-656-4673.


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Digital Spy Soap Scoop video – hit play below for all the latest Coronation Street gossip, as Sarah makes a shocking discovery about Bethany and stalker Chloe finally meets her match.

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