ITV's Coronation Street just aired an episode in which Lydia trashes her own apartment and makes a call to the police, staging a falsified domestic abuse scene and attack, against falsely accused perpetrator, Adam. Adam subsequently is arrested based on Lydia's false claims. 

This scene and continuing storyline completely undermines every victim of domestic abuse whom has ever been denied justice, and has not had their experience validated by the criminal justice system and wider society. The storyline is harmful in perpetuating that true victims of domestic abuse, could simply just be 'liars' and 'making it up'. This storyline is harmful to current victims of domestic abuse living in dangerous situations, who are scared of leaving or speaking out, due to the fear of being called a 'liar' and nobody believing them. 

Women and all victims of domestic abuse already have to fight incredibly hard to have their cases heard and validated by the criminal justice system, and by society, so we do not need to perpetuate harmful rhetoric's about victims being 'liars', displaying an actress faking a domestic abuse scene to get revenge on an ex. This is a poorly thought out, extremely distasteful and harmful storyline that has not considered the wider societal impact. 

Domestic abuse incidents are on the rise and in the year ending March 2021, there was a 6% increase in reports of DA related crimes. Despite the huge number of crimes reported, the charging rate decreased for the third year in a row to 70%, down from 76% in the year ending March 2018. Conviction rates in correlation to reporting rates are also shockingly low. Despite common misconception, this is NOT because victims are LYING about their experiences, but because the criminal justice system does not have the frameworks and competencies to adequately manage, support and investigate. Further compounded by the fact that our police force is infiltrated with misogynistic views and practises, i.e. The Charing Cross Met Police Misogyny scandal, and the MONSTER murderer that is Wayne Couzens. 

WE DO NOT NEED INFLUENCIAL BROADCASTING PROVIDERS TO PERPETUATE HARMFUL RHETORICS THAT SUPPORT INJUSTICE FOR WOMEN, WE ALREADY HAVE ENOUGH INJUSTICE. WE NEED PEOPLE TO BELIEVE SURVIVORS AND VICTIMS. WE NEED STORYLINES THAT SUPPORT SAFETY, SUPPORT AND JUSTICE FOR VICTIMS AND SURVIVORS. 

DOMESTIC ABUSE IS NOT ENTERTAINMENT. 

PLEASE SIGN MY PETITION TO ASK ITV TO RECALL THIS HARMFUL STORYLINE/ SCENE AND APOLOGISE TO TRUE VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC ABUSE.

WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT TO ME? 

I have been a victim of domestic abuse, and one of the unfortunate ones that did not achieve a prosecution. I have been physically assaulted, with bruises and black eyes on my face, and told by police that there is "not enough evidence" and it is "my word against his". Not getting the justice you deserve and having to fight to be believed and have your story validated, is extremely painful and prolongs your recovery and trauma from domestic abuse. We need to support and believe victims NOT perpetuate storylines of the opposing rhetoric. 

All statistics are from the ONS 2021.