Broadchurch praised by rape counsellors and police for ‘raising awareness’ around sexual violence

The new series of the ITV drama sees Hardy and Miller investigate a rape case
Sensitive portrayal: Julie Hesmondhalgh plays sexual assault victim Trish in the new series of Broadchurch
ITV
John Dunne @jhdunne28 February 2017

Police and rape counsellors have praised the makers of Broadchurch and said they hope the storyline will encourage victims to come forward.

Viewers were moved by harrowing scenes in which Trish Winterman, played by former Coronation Street actress Julie Hesmondhalgh, recounted being raped as the show returned last night.

The show’s writer, Chris Chibnall, said he wanted to tell the story after continued increases in the number of sexual offences being reported to police.

Set in a fictional Dorset town, the hit ITV crime drama’s third series follows the investigation into the attack and producers worked closely with victim services before filming.

Broadchurch, Series 3 - in pictures

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Helen Stevens, service manager at Dorset Rape Crisis, said it had been a “real privilege” to work with Chibnall and the Broadchurch production team.

“We hope that the series will enable victims of sexual violence to come forward to receive the help and specialist support that is available to them,” she said.

Before Broadchurch returned to screens Hesmondhalgh said she hoped it will make “great strides in raising awareness as well as being a good piece of TV drama”.

She appears in the new series alongside Olivia Colman and David Tennant as DS Ellie Miller and DI Alec Hardy.

Joan Carmichael, Detective Chief Inspector at Dorset Police, said: “Broadchurch is dramatising a very sensitive subject but it serves as a reminder that the police will do everything they can to bring offenders to justice and there is help and support available to anyone who has been a victim of such crimes.”

ITV, Monday, 9pm

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