Hollyoaks is set to tackle the growing danger faced by young people in a pioneering new storyline. The Channel 4 soap will spotlight the two most prevalent forms of exploitation threatening UK teens, as two youthful characters are manipulated by a criminal gang. Frankie Osborne (Isabelle Smith) and Dillon Ray (Nathaniel Dass) find themselves at risk when they're enticed by what appears to be a glamorous lifestyle.
In reality, they've been drawn into a world that's hard to escape without help, where they become victims of criminal and sexual exploitation. Hollyoaks has collaborated closely with Causeway - a charity that aids, empowers and instigates change for survivors of modern slavery - to ensure an authentic portrayal of the storyline, which is also influenced by real-life survivor stories. In recent episodes, viewers have seen underworld character Rex Gallagher (Jonny Labey) show interest in Dillon.
Aiming to win Dillon's trust and isolate him from his family, Rex gifts the teen a home, and gradually manipulates him into dealing drugs on Rex's behalf. This will later lead to both Frankie and Dillon being sexually exploited. Frankie, a survivor of Sibling Sexual Abuse (SSA) inflicted by her twin brother JJ Osborne, has been left vulnerable to grooming due to the lasting impact of her trauma. Dillon, too, has faced numerous challenges while exploring his sexuality, particularly without parental guidance, reports the Liverpool Echo.
Hollyoaks Executive Producer Hannah Cheers emphasised: "It is imperative that Hollyoaks is constantly talking to young people about safeguarding issues and ways in which abuse can infiltrate young lives.". She added: "The audience naturally regenerates and the issues that young adults are vulnerable to are constantly evolving. Hollyoaks is in a unique position to shine a light on them, without lecturing, due to the way that the show tells stories.".
According to research, the exploitation of young people is an insidious problem and a growing concern for multiple safeguarding agencies. Hannah further explained: "Frankie is on a journey of rebuilding her life and that must be filled with hope and potential, but also reality. "With the trauma that Frankie's been through, there's a lot to navigate in life. She has this incredibly strong bond with Darren and Nancy now, however, her understanding and experience of trust is still one that needs to be worked out.
"The relationship between Frankie and Darren will be tested, and viewers will see Frankie attempt to make it on her own, potentially leading her into danger. "Her best friend Dillon has also experienced a difficult upbringing, from being ostracised from his family home at 15 for being expelled, leaving him estranged from his parents, to becoming a teenage dad last year. Challenging upbringings make young people more susceptible to grooming.
