Spoilers for Emmerdale: Lydia Dingle has trauma after being sexually assaulted by a childhood friend

One of the most adored characters on the show, Lydia Dingle (Karen Blick), is about to be sexually assaulted by her former childhood friend and current boss Craig Reed (Ben Addis), according to an announcement from Emmerdale.

Craig and Lydia recently ran into each other at a career fair where Lydia was looking for employment. The two were quickly chatting up on former times after recognizing each other. Since they had both been in the same children’s home, it was soon discovered that Craig was Toby’s biological father. Lydia, who was still quite young at the time, buried the stillborn child under a tree.

Craig shows up to Wishing Well in subsequent episodes and requests to go to Toby’s final resting place. Lydia leads him to the location of the baby’s ashes’ dispersal.

She believes for the first time that someone is aware of this. According to Karen Blick. Sam (James Hooton) says, “As much as he loves Lydia and supports her, it’s not the same. Not Toby’s father, he was. She is therefore thinking, “We share this grief,” as she stands there with the baby’s father. He comprehends. They are discussing the kind of man he may have been. What would Toby have done in those 33 years, given that it had been 33 years ago? Who would he have developed into? What kind of a childhood would he have had. It’s crucial to have someone with whom to communicate these sentiments and thoughts, and Lydia has never had that.

They almost kiss as a result of the intense moment that results from this. Lydia tells Kim (Claire King) what transpired and announces her intention to leave her position with Craig. Before she does, though, Craig reminds her how much he values their rekindled relationship, and she chooses to withdraw her resignation.

However, when Craig confesses to Lydia that he has feelings for her and then forces himself on her, things quickly become ugly.

These sequences will be difficult for the audience to watch, Karen Blick informed us.

It’s unpleasant to watch. I’m not going to be at all hesitant about that, she declared. It’s a challenging, uncomfortable topic. At the conclusion of the scene, we are left with the knowledge that it took place. Everyone handled something that was so difficult and stressful in a really polite manner.

Rape Crisis UK’s CEO, Jayne Butler, told us that she hoped the story will aid other rape and sexual assault survivors as she and Emmerdale worked closely together to produce the plot.

“Rape still carries such a stigma,” she remarked. People are ashamed and embarrassed to talk about it, thus they are afraid to do so. There are many worries that people would believe it’s their fault and that they somehow contributed to this. I believe that by being honest about it and discussing its effects in the manner that this plotline enables us to, it helps to lessen the stigma by letting people know there is nothing to be embarrassed of and they are not to blame for what has occurred.

Viewers will watch Lydia choose to keep what happened a secret from her family after the rape.

Karen Blick added, “She’s afraid of being believed and doesn’t want to upset her family.” It’s a big deal, that. When Lydia returns to the Dingles’ and Sam and Mandy (Lisa Riley) are present, we see her in the immediate aftermath. Considering others, she asks, “What will this do to Sam?” She simply wants it to disappear. “I’ll move on, I’m going to act like this hasn’t happened, and carry on with my life,” someone said. I am able to thoroughly comprehend her choice.

‘If anyone has been influenced by Lydia’s storyline, we want you to know that Rape Crisis is here for you,’ Jayne continued. We offer a ton of information and support on our website that might be helpful, whether it happened recently, a long time ago, or you’re not sure what happened.

Additionally, “You can contact us online at 247sexualabusesupport.org.uk or by calling our 24/7 Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Line at 0808 500 2222.”