EastEnders is set to air a harrowing new storyline that will see Yolande Trueman (Angela Wynter) sexually assaulted by Pastor Clayton (Howard Saddler) in upcoming scenes.
Yolande believed Pastor Clayton to be a close friend and confidante, until recent scenes saw him grow overly tactile during a hug.
When Yolande spoke up against him, he denied any wrongdoing, then cruelly took her charity project away from her as a punishment for calling out his behaviour.
In an upcoming hour-long episode, set to air on Wednesday, April 17, Pastor Clayton will sexually assault Yolande.
The episode will also feature a series of flashback accounts of women who have previously been sexually assaulted by the Pastor, as it becomes clear that this is not his first offence.
Following the assault, the storyline will see Yolande struggle to come to terms with this attack from a man she thought she could trust, as it impacts all aspects of her life, including her relationship with Patrick Trueman (Rudolph Walker).
In order to tell this story as accurately and sensitively as possible, EastEnders has worked with experts in the field, as well as charities End Violence Against Women Coalition and Hourglass.
Speaking about the storyline, Executive Producer Chris Clenshaw said: ‘This is an important story that we hope will raise awareness of how women at any age can be groomed by someone in a position of power.
‘It was vital for us to work alongside End Violence Against Women Coalition and Hourglass to truthfully present and sensitively portray Yolande’s sexual assault storyline.’
Director of End Violence Against Women Coalition, Andrea Simon, revealed that the charity were proud to work with EastEnders on the storyline.
‘Sexual assault happens to women of all ages and backgrounds, but many find they aren’t believed or taken seriously,’ she added.
‘Older women, black women and others who are marginalised are at the sharp end of this, with huge consequences for their access to justice and support. TV shows can play a huge role in shifting attitudes across society.
‘We hope this storyline helps dispel myths and stereotypes about what victims and survivors look like and how perpetrators behave, and ultimately increases understanding of sexual assault.’
