EastEnders fans have heaped on the praise for Stacey Slater and BBC soap writers over a powerfully truthful monologue on the realities of sexual assault for women.
The character, portrayed by Lacey Turner, delivered the heartbreaking speech during last night's instalment, saying woman are at "constant threat from sexual assault from men" following Ruby Allen's rape.
Stacey spoke honestly as she wiped away tears, and the threats women face really hit home for EastEnders viewers as her words are not only relevant in soap world but horribly in real life too.
In a chilling storyline last month, Ruby (Louisa Lytton) was raped by Martin Fowler's old school friend and Stacey stood up for her friend in upsetting scenes.
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Shouting at her boyfriend in the heated argument, Stacey declared: "You have no idea what it is like to be a woman in this world.
"All the shouting and whistling and leering and touching. All the time. It's like white noise. That's why you don't believe anyone like you, anyone you know, could do this."
Martin defiantly replied: "I'm nothing like that."
Stacey continued: "We know that the bad man out there ain't a stranger. He's the man you lived with, who mows your lawn, who buys you a drink.
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"He's your mate, your boyfriend, your brother. The bloke you go clubbing with. Normal, every day men Martin. there the ones that hurt you, that rape you, that kill you.
"Do you know the most dangerous place for a woman to be? Home turf. That's where the real monsters are."
While the truths are hard to hear, viewers took to Twitter to praise the show for tackling the topic with such force.
"Stacey's whole speech on #EastEnders about rape and sexual assault was perfect. What she said was something that unfortunately a large percentage of women know intimately and I'm glad we got that scene," tweeted one.
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And another echoed: "Wow, I don't normally watch #EastEnders but happened to see it tonight and so glad I did, to catch Stacey's powerful, moving dialogue about rape. Hard truths to hear. Bloody hell, incredible writing, and brilliantly performed @LaceyTurner."
"The #EastEnders rape story line is SO IMPORTANT and being done SO WELL. Everything Stacey is saying is so accurate and I really think they've done their research on this," said somebody else.
If you have been affected by the storyline or need more help, support and advice surrounding sexual assault visit here.
Topics: TV News, Eastenders
