Devastating scenes featured in the latest episode of the Channel 4 soap’s after-dark spin-off, Hollyoaks Later, have seen Dodger Savage, played by Danny Mac, physically attacked and raped by gang member, Griff, as part of a criminal intimidation tactic.
It forms part of Hollyoaks’ dedicated coverage of sexual crime stories over the years, and they have again been working with We Are Survivors on the hard-hitting topic.
The show cast two new characters, Griff, played by Nathan Hubble, and Sully, played by Harry French, who make up the criminal gang in the Hollyoaks Later episode. The pair initially target Warren Fox (Jamie Lomas), for his riches, but things quickly escalate.
Donny Clark (Louis Emerick) got wrapped up in a robbery after running into Warren. Dodger heroically bust the heist in hopes of saving his partner, but he was overpowered.
To stop the detectives from revealing their identities to the police, gangland forces used violence as intimidation. Behind closed doors, Sully beat Donny. Afterwards, with Donny too injured to intervene, Griff rapes Dodger.
The first time Hollyoaks addressed male rape was back in 2001, and saw Luke Morgan (Gary Lucy) raped by high school bully Mark Gibbs, in a bid to belittle him. The story was praised for being groundbreaking at that time.
Hollyoaks continues to highlight the impact of male sexual violence, in its 30th year as Channel 4’s flagship continuing drama.
Hollyoaks has worked with We Are Survivors for other previous storylines, including when John Paul was raped by student Finn O’Connor in late 2013, and in a year-long footballer abuse storyline in 2018, where coach Buster abused his students.
Talking about working with Hollyoaks on their latest issue-storyline, Chief Executive Office Duncan Craig OBE said ‘I am so incredibly proud of what we have achieved with this new storyline, as proud as I am of all the stories we have told with Hollyoaks. It really is a long-term relationship which began with breaking new ground and continues today.
“’he team at Hollyoaks have always been so receptive to our input. From the writers to the Directors, cast to producers, everyone has always been committed to not only tell the most realistic story we can, but understand the responsibility we have in how male survivors watching the show will feel. They also understand so well that we want survivors yet to break their silence feel less alone.
‘Danny is an absolute joy to work with. The care and respect he has shown us at We Are Survivors, shown me as a survivor, and given to the story has resulted in an incredible and realistic portrayal of male victimhood and following survivorship.
‘I know that viewers will feel so much for Dodger and survivors will want to stand by him in solidarity. Danny has given us that’
Danny Mac added: There was a massive duty of care to get the storyline right and we worked with We Are Survivors. I’ve felt very emotionally attached to this storyline and the people we are speaking to and for. It has been a real journey.”
‘Hollyoaks have explored similar storylines before. There is something about the way this story is going to be explored. It is definitely going to be a new version of what is unfortunately an age-old horrific event.
‘It’s a character no one would be expecting it to happen to. No one will see this coming.’
If you have been impacted or want more information on the topic, you can find support on We Are Survivors.
