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Working with Coronation Street on their Betsy and Dylan storyline
Safeline’s Head of Prevention and Early Intervention reflects on working with Coronation Street to help shape a sensitive storyline about choking during sex.
When Coronation Street contacted Safeline to ask whether we would like to support an upcoming storyline about choking during sex, I felt it was an important opportunity. A chance to share the insights we hear from young people about their perceptions, understanding, and experiences of this issue.
Meeting with the producers, actors and writers I listened to the direction they wanted to take and recognised how carefully they wanted to highlight the impact this can have on people. My involvement focused on reviewing scripts and offering knowledge and insight to help shape the storyline in an informed, sensitive and meaningful way.
What We Hear From Young People
Through our work with young people, we have heard growing concern that choking during sex is becoming increasingly normalised. This can be influenced by exposure to pornography and social media, which may create the mistaken belief that it is a safe or expected part of consensual sex. What is often missing from those influences is any honest understanding of the potential harm or consequences.
This storyline helps highlight how a lack of awareness can affect young people who are unaware of these risks. At the same time, recognising that this is a deeply sensitive subject. Coronation Street approached it with great care, compassion and thought for people who may have lived experience of it both consensual and non-consensual.
Seeing It Come to Life
Seeing the hard work of everyone involved at Coronation Street – from the writers, producers and researchers to the actors and charities who contributed – come to life on screen has been a real source of pride for me.
The actors have conveyed the different reactions and emotions with care and sensitivity, and it has been powerful to see the ripple effect of the storyline.
Reading comments from people who are now having conversations with their children or family members has been incredibly meaningful. My hope for this storyline was that it would encourage open, informed and honest conversations, challenge harmful assumptions, and help people recognise the importance of safety, consent and support.
Head of Prevention & Early Intervention Service
Why this storyline matters
Television dramas can play an important role in helping people understand complex and difficult issues. By exploring this subject through well-known characters, Coronation Street has created an opportunity for viewers to reflect on conversations around relationships, consent and personal safety.
For some viewers, the storyline may be their first exposure to discussions about non-fatal strangulation. For others, it may help validate experiences they have never previously spoken about. By approaching the issue with care and sensitivity, the programme has the potential to increase understanding, challenge misconceptions and encourage people to seek support when they need it.
Learn more about choking during sex
Support is available
Safeline hopes the storyline will encourage people to seek information, talk openly about their experiences and access support when they need it.
No one should have to cope alone. Anyone affected by sexual abuse, sexual violence, coercive behaviour or non-fatal strangulation can reach out.
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