Coronation Street's Elle Mulvaney on moving response to Amy storyline

Joe Anderton

June 2, 2023 at 6:11 a.m.·2 min read

Note: This story discusses topics including rape and sexual assault.

Coronation Street actress Elle Mulvaney has opened up about the response to her character Amy Barlow's rape storyline.

Following a night out, Aaron Sandford tried to initiate sex but Amy said no. He went ahead anyway, and has since refused to apologise or take responsibility for assaulting her. An understandably hurt and angry Amy wrote a blog post about her experience and lack of support, but she is now being sued for naming him.

abi, amy barlow, coronation street — ITV

Speaking to The Mirror, the actress said: "I am so pleased conversations have started to happen since this story first aired. The response on social media has been insane and a lot of people have confided in me.

"They have come forward about their own experiences, saying: 'This has happened to me too,' and I've been really touched they have. At the same time, I find it horrifying it is so common.

"Mums have told me it has made them want to have a conversation with their son about consent. The more teenagers that know about this, the less it is likely to happen."

aaron and amy barlow, coronation street — ITV

Despite all the people who have come forward, Mulvaney states that it is clear that the topic of consent is still one that too many people don't talk about.

"It's the stigma of: 'Oh gosh, I can't say anything, it's too formal'. It isn't too formal and we should all openly talk about consent. Within my own friendship group, nobody is afraid to have those conversations about sexual consent. People often say 'soaps are too dark' but these things do happen."

Coronation Street airs on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 8pm on ITV1 and streams on ITVX.

Coronation Street has been working with the Schools Consent Project on Amy's storyline.

If you've been affected by the issues raised in this story, you can access more information from Rape Crisis England and Wales, who work towards the elimination of all forms of sexual violence and sexual misconduct, on their website or by calling the National Rape Crisis Helpline on 0808 802 9999. Rape Crisis Scotland's helpline number is 08088 01 03 02.

Readers in the US are encouraged to contact RAINN, or the National Sexual Assault Hotline on 800-656-4673.

You Might Also Like