Emmerdale star Emma Atkins has spoken out after a 'sickening' sexual assault scene aired on the ITV soap. The actress, 51, who has played Charity Dingle since 2000, appeared in a video on the show's official Instagram page following Sunday night's episode, which was moved from its usual slot due to football coverage. In the episode, Charity was attacked by Dr Caitlin Todd in a harrowing scene that aired at the end.
During the scene, Todd climbed on top of Charity as she slept, and viewers could hear her unzipping her trousers. Charity awoke in horror, realising what was happening, and begged Todd to get off. Charity sat bolt upright, and Todd simply got up, collected her things, and walked out.
In the Instagram video, Atkins said: 'In tonight's episode of Emmerdale, my character Charity was sexually assaulted by Dr Todd. These storylines can be extremely triggering, so please, if anyone needs help or support, visit itv.com/advice.'
Viewers React to Disturbing Scene
The scenes proved to be a difficult watch for many viewers. While bosses issued a warning before the linear broadcast, some fans were horrified to discover that the warning was missing from the version uploaded to YouTube. Taking to X, one fan said: 'Bloody hell #emmerdale maybe you should put a trigger warning on for those who may have been affected by this in the past.'
Another raged: 'I hope #Emmerdale gets a fine or a massive warning. There's doing a storyline, and there is a storyline that makes many women feel physically sick and shaking. Disgusting behaviour from TV!'
A third wrote: 'Heads up to anyone who hasn't watched today's #emmerdale ep on YouTube - there is no prior warning of the content the episode contains. I think @emmerdale really should have done more here, and it can be rectified with a suitable warning in the description.'
Others claimed the programme had gone 'too far' with the scene. One said: 'The SA scene in #Emmerdale is horrendous, please take care of yourselves, very difficult watch. Charity [crying emoji]. I can't post the clip it's so disturbing.'
Another viewer added: 'Did #emmerdale have a warning for tonight's episode? They should have done because that was grim.' A third wrote: 'I can't watch. I think the writers have gone too far.' A fourth said: 'I didn't see the warning. I'm physically ill.'
Praise for Handling of Sensitive Topic
However, others were quick to praise the soap for tackling such a subject. One fan wrote: 'Tonight's #emmerdale is an extremely difficult watch, but it was handled absolutely perfectly. Amazing performances from Emma Atkins and Caroline Harker, and the directing of the end scene by Yvonne Wells and Haley Muraleedharan was outstanding. Please take care when watching.'
Another said: 'This storyline WILL help so many people. It doesn't matter the gender, SA happens. Let's open that conversation and get victims justice.'
Emmerdale airs weeknights at 8pm on ITV1 and ITVX. If you have been the victim of sexual assault, you can access help and resources via www.rapecrisis.org.uk or by calling the national telephone helpline on 0808 802 9999.
