EASTENDERS is launching a shocking child sex abuse storyline which sees Bianca’s step-daughter raped by her hubby.
The BBC1 soap went to kids’ charity the NSPCC for guidance on the sensitive plot, based around 15-year-old Whitney Dean.
Since arriving in Albert Square, Whitney (Shona McGarty), has been involved in a string of scuffles — and cautioned by cops for a street brawl.
But her troubles get far worse following the release of Tony — the husband of mum-of-five Bianca (Patsy Palmer).
It was his prison sentence that left Bianca and her brood homeless.
But Tony — dad of three-year-old Morgan — returns to Walford to wreak devastation on the family.
He cruelly targets Whitney, who is the daughter of fiery Bianca’s dead boyfriend Nathan. And it soon becomes clear Tony has been abusing the teen for years. EastEnders bosses have yet to announce who is playing Tony.
A show insider said: “This storyline has been planned since last year. What you will see is Whitney making sly comments and worrying when she realises Tony is being released from prison.”
There have been no sex abuse plots on the soap — although Kat Slater’s daughter Zoe was the product of abuse by an uncle.
Last night a spokeswoman confirmed: “EastEnders is currently planning a future storyline which will tackle sexual abuse within the Jackson family. The programme is working very closely with the NSPCC so that this subject is accurately and sensitively portrayed.
“EastEnders has successfully drawn attention in the past to a number of sensitive issues including domestic violence, rape and HIV.”
NSPCC spokesman John Grounds said: “Programmes like EastEnders are increasingly helping to raise awareness of the hidden nature of sexual abuse.
“The NSPCC’s work on the EastEnders storyline is aimed at ensuring the portrayal of child abuse accurately reflects the damage it can do to the victim, their family and the wider community.
“This is vital in persuading people to take action to stop it and encouraging children to speak out.”
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