Support group advises Hollyoaks on abuse storyline

A group that supports parents who suffer abuse at the hands of their children has been working with the makers of Hollyoaks on a recent storyline.

The Channel Four soap shows what happens when one of the characters becomes resentful of his father and starts to physically abuse him.

Shropshire-based Parental Education Growth Support (PEGS) said it was consulted on the issue and hoped the story would raise awareness of the issue.

PEGS founder Michelle John said: "This storyline reflects the need for early intervention, support and understanding."

PEGS said it was set up "as a response to the lack of support services specifically designed to help parents, carers and guardians" experiencing child-to-parent abuse.

It offers support to parents, carers and guardians, as well as training for people tackling the issue and also seeks to raise awareness of it.

The Hollyoaks story follows the changing relationship between Lucas Hay and his father Ste, which turns into an abusive one.

As it develops, viewers see Lucas takes his anger out on Ste behind closed doors and Ste blaming himself.

PEGS said women were more likely to experience this form of abuse, but it could come in many forms, including verbal, physical, emotional and financial abuse.

The soap's production team said the support group advised it on the writing of the story, with regular chats to ensure the issue was portrayed authentically.

Ms John said she was "proud" to support the programme and getting the issue "more widely recognised and spoken about".

She said it was a complex issue and families experiencing child-to-parent abuse were not looking for blame to be placed on their children.

Actor Kieron Richardson, who plays Ste in the series, said the storyline "flips the script on what many people assume abuse looks like".

"It's uncomfortable, it's emotional, and it's real," he added.

Follow BBC Shropshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.