Hollyoaks will air a dark storyline focusing on sexual and criminal exploitation of young people.
The new narrative for the Channel 4 soap sees Hollyoaks tackle a prevalent issue as two young characters are groomed by a criminal gang.
Best friends Frankie and Dillon will find themselves in danger when they are targeted with the offer of a lifestyle that they perceive to be glamorous.
The reality is they have been lured into world that it is difficult to escape from without intervention, where they will find themselves subject to criminal and sexual exploitation.
The upcoming storyline features character Frankie Osborne, a survivor of Sibling Sexual Abuse (SSA).
The abuse Frankie recently suffered at the hands of her twin brother JJ has inevitably had a lasting effect on the teenager and left her vulnerable to grooming.
Fellow resident teenager, Dillon, hasn’t had an easy time exploring his sexuality and has faced his fair share of hardships without the guidance of his parents.
In recent episodes the audience has observed underworld figure Rex take an interest in Dillon.
Wanting to gain Dillon’s trust and move him away from his family, Rex gifts the teenager a home, and over time, manipulation leads them to dealing drugs on behalf of Rex.
Later, for Frankie and Dillon this will lead to them being sexually exploited.
Hollyoaks Executive Producer Hannah Cheers said: “It is imperative that Hollyoaks is constantly talking to young people about safeguarding issues and ways in which abuse can infiltrate young lives.
“The audience naturally regenerates and the issues that young adults are vulnerable to are constantly evolving.
“Hollyoaks is in a unique position to shine a light on them, without lecturing, due to the way that the show tells stories.
“The research that we have, finds that the exploitation of young people is an insidious problem and growing concern for multi safeguarding agencies.”
Helen Ball CEO of Causeway said: “It has been a privilege for Causeway to have advised and supported Hollyoaks with the development of this storyline.
“It’s such a powerful way to shine a spotlight on the reality of youth exploitation in the UK, a topic that is often misunderstood.
“People can be shocked to discover how prevalent exploitation is in our communities.
“It’s happening in towns and cities up and down the UK, and it can take many different forms, with many different people affected.
“Men, women, adults and children can all find themselves trapped in exploitative situations.
“Criminal exploitation and sexual exploitation are two of the most common forms of modern slavery in the UK, and the two which this storyline will be featuring.
“It’s historically been rare for survivors of criminal and sexual exploitation to have their stories told and experiences reflected at a mainstream level, and so we’re grateful to Hollyoaks for their commitment and passion for telling this story sensitively and authentically.
“As well as raising much-needed awareness around exploitation, we hope it will build greater allyship, care, support and understanding for the brave survivors who have experienced, or are currently experiencing, these awful crimes.”
Hollyoaks is now available to stream from 7am Monday to
Wednesday on Channel 4 or watch live on E4 at 7pm.
Hollyoaks – cast member cull
HOLLYOAKS beauty Chelsee Healey has dropped the biggest hint yet she’s been axed from the soap – yet what’s happening at the Channel 4 show?
Earlier this year, the Channel 4 soap was forced to address the cull of cast members.
It came after The Sun was first to report Hollyoaks bosses plan to kill off a whopping 20 cast members.
Now Chelsee, who recently took time away from her role as Goldie McQueen to give birth to her second daughter, has now made a cryptic move on X.
The Manchester lass, 36, re-posted a picture of her character crying to her page.
It came after Stephanie Waring, famed for her 28-year-long role as Cindy Cunningham, confirmed that soap bosses had axed her as part of the 20-person strong cast cull.
Another big name set to quit for good is popstar turned soap star Jamelia.
The soap’s resident hunk and TV favourite Owen Warner has also left the show amid the cuts with fans left devastated to say goodbye to his character Romeo Nightingale.
Jamie Lomas has also quit the show and will depart his Warren Fox role soon.
Haiesha Mistry famed for her role as Yasmine Maalik has also left after seven years.
