Coronation Street viewers have watched teenager Betsy Swain suffer a stroke after being strangled by her partner Dylan Wilson during consensual sex. The storyline, developed with experts from the Institute for Addressing Strangulation (IFAS) and the Stroke Association, aims to highlight the potentially life-changing consequences of strangulation.
Domestic abuse survivor Gemma Laidler, from Newcastle, has now praised the soap for tackling the issue. The 41-year-old, who campaigns for tougher sentences for strangulation, said she found the plot difficult to watch but believes it is vital.
"It was a bit triggering to watch but I think it's really good because they are actually tackling it really well," she said. "I think it's so important. The more people talk about it the more people will see it's not normal."
Hidden dangers
Gemma's ex-partner Ryan Grundy was caught on CCTV strangling her at her home. She only realised how dangerous the act was after leaving the relationship. Even brief pressure on the neck can lead to brain damage, strokes, incontinence and death, and symptoms do not always appear immediately. "I didn't go to hospital when I was strangled," she said. "I'll never know if that's done damage to me. When I think how blase I was about it when it happened to me, it's crazy."
An IFAS study of more than 4,100 people aged 16 to 34 found that over 55% had either been strangled or had strangled someone during sex, with prevalence highest among 16 to 20-year-olds.
"Coronation Street highlights how easy it can happen and the dangers," Gemma said. "I have spoken to a lot of people about how it's normalised during sex. What blows my mind is how have we got to that point? When something like that is normalised even though it can have catastrophic consequences. Why would you want to do something that could potentially cause somebody to lose their life, or have a stroke. It's like an epidemic the amount it's happening."
Gemma's relationship with Ryan Grundy
Gemma met Ryan Grundy in 2021 through a mutual friend. She has previously spoken of how she was transformed from a strong, independent woman into a frightened victim. Grundy, who had a history of drug and mental health problems, controlled her with his addiction, threatening to buy drugs if she left him alone. Around a year into the relationship, he became physically violent and strangled Gemma on her bed.
CCTV cameras installed in Gemma's home to watch her pet dogs captured the attack. Grundy later pleaded guilty to non-fatal strangulation, assault occasioning actual bodily harm, harassment and two common assaults. In 2024, he was sentenced to 14 months in prison but was released because he had already served the time on remand.
After seeing Grundy jailed, Gemma shared her story and footage with the Chronicle. She has since been hailed an inspiration to other abuse sufferers and has attracted a huge following on TikTok, which she uses to raise awareness of issues including strangulation. She has also been supporting other women trapped in abusive relationships who have reached out to her online. Gemma has previously used her TikTok platform to discuss other domestic abuse storylines on soaps.
Praise for other Corrie plots
Gemma also praised Coronation Street's portrayal of the controlling relationship between Theo Silverton and Todd Grimshaw. "It showed the manipulation," she said. "I was shouting at the telly even though I know it's not real. That Theo was so charming, everyone liked him. Everyone thought Ryan was this amazing canny lad, but I had the CCTV of what he was like behind closed doors."
Expert warning
Professor Cath White, Medical Director at IFAS, said: "We are grateful to Coronation Street for approaching this storyline with such care and a commitment to medical accuracy. Non-fatal strangulation can result in life-changing injuries, including stroke, even where there are no visible external signs. There is no safe way to strangle. We hope this storyline helps increase understanding of the risks, challenges common misconceptions and encourages anyone affected to seek advice and support."
