The soap’s creators collaborated with SurvivorsUK, Survivors Manchester, and the Male Survivors Partnership on the storyline.

EastEnders will soon begin an epic plot in which Ben Mitchell will be the victim of a sexual assault, according to reports.

The news comes ten years after the serial refused to cover the narrative in 2012, citing that it was too tough to cover.

According to The Sun, the soap’s producers collaborated closely with SurvivorsUK, Survivors Manchester, and the Male Survivors Partnership on the storyline.

Viewers will be startled to hear that Kathy’s new bartender, Lewis, is an abuser who will cause even more misery for the character, who is already dealing with mental health issues.

“The attack will not be displayed on-screen, but viewers will be aware of it happening,” an insider told the publication.

Max Bowden, who plays Ben Mitchell, stated of the upcoming narrative, “I’m honored to be given this opportunity to tell such an important subject.”

Ben thinks of Lewis as someone who can understand him in a way that Cullum can’t, but that trust is abused when Lewis crosses a boundary and rapes Ben, according to Senior Executive Producer Kate Oates.

On BBC One, EastEnders airs weeknights.