EastEnders confirms arrest of Ben’s rapist

The following article contains a discussion of sexual assault that some readers may find disturbing.

EastEnders Spoilers follow.

EastEnders has confirmed the arrest of Ben Mitchell’s rapist Lewis Butler.

The soap opera aired a brief plot update in Monday’s episode, which focuses on Lola Pearce’s attempt to get Ben and Callum Highway back together.

Lola got the two of them, along with Jay Brown, to help Vi Highway move so that Ben and Callum could have a moment together to talk about how they’ve been doing since their split.

“Your grandma says you still love me. Is that true?” Ben asked his estranged husband.

Callum hesitated before telling Ben, “Maybe, if I lived somewhere else, then probably not. But since I see you here all the time, I can’t turn off my emotions as easily as you can.”

The two agreed that they would always love each other, but before they could go into too much detail, Ben’s SOIT officer showed up with very important news.

“Lewis Butler has been arrested,” he was informed.

Lewis insisted that “it was consensual,” so Callum consoled a frustrated Ben by reminding him that while this would be a “long and difficult process,” at least Lewis was now in the system.

Following his exit earlier this year, Aidan O’Callaghan gave some insight into why Lewis refuses to take responsibility for the attack on Ben.

“To avoid that feeling, he tries to focus on Ben’s mistakes, like being the Walford assassin, and dump all those unpleasant feelings on him. This experience in the warehouse ultimately forces him to confront it and figure out what he did,” the actor explained.

“Then for a moment he is completely overwhelmed by sadness, remorse and regret. Basically, it all boils down to this feeling of shame.”

EastEnders airs Monday to Thursday at 7.30pm on BBC One. The show can also be streamed on BBC iPlayer.

Read more EastEnders Spoilers on our special homepage

If you have been affected by the issues raised in this story, you can get further information from Rape Crisis England and Wales, who are working to eliminate all forms of sexual violence and sexual misconduct, at your website or call the National Rape Crisis Helpline on 0808 802 9999. Scotland’s rape crisis The helpline number is 08088 01 03 02.

Readers in the US are asked to contact RAIN, or the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 800-656-4673.

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