Hollyoaks teacher grooming storyline shines a light on abuse of trust
I recently wrote about ITV’s The Blame and the way television can help shine a light on difficult issues such as abuse, misogyny and the misuse of power. Now, another storyline has caught my attention on Hollyoaks.
The soap is currently exploring a safeguarding storyline involving a teacher and a pupil, raising important concerns about abuse of trust, grooming and professional boundaries within schools.
The storyline centres on Dee-Dee, a young person who is dealing with the loss of her mother and, at a particularly vulnerable time in her life, begins to form a close relationship with her teacher, Abigail.
As the storyline unfolds, viewers see the relationship move beyond what would be considered appropriate professional boundaries, with Abigail grooming Dee-Dee and Dee-Dee becoming increasingly emotionally dependent on her.
Abuse of trust is about power, not gender
One aspect of this storyline that stands out is that it involves a female teacher and a female pupil.
When people think about abuse in schools, they may often picture a male perpetrator. Whilst those cases are sadly common, safeguarding is not about gender. It is about power, vulnerability and the responsibility that comes with a position of trust.
A teacher holds a position of authority. Young people should be able to trust that the adults responsible for their education and wellbeing will keep appropriate boundaries in place. When those boundaries become blurred, there is a risk of significant harm regardless of whether the adult involved is male or female.
Vulnerability can make young people an easier target
Dee-Dee’s vulnerability is one of the aspects of the storyline that stood out to me most. Following the loss of her mother, she is understandably looking for support and stability from the adults around her.
In our work with survivors of abuse, we often see how periods of vulnerability, such as bereavement, mental health struggles or difficulties at home, can be exploited by those who misuse their position of trust and cross boundaries.
And the risks are not limited to schools, which is why Bolt Burdon Kemp wants the legal definition of ‘position of trust’ to be extended to more professions that work with young people, including driving instructors and youth activity leaders.
Why storylines like this matter
I’m pleased we’re seeing more television companies use their platforms to raise awareness of important safeguarding issues. Storylines like these are not “just drama” – they can help start conversations and bring attention to issues that are often misunderstood or overlooked. They can also help survivors feel seen and understood, particularly when topics that are difficult to talk about are portrayed sensitively and responsibly.
What I like about this Hollyoaks plot is that it does not appear to be sensationalised. Instead, it is encouraging viewers to think about safeguarding, abuse of power and the warning signs that can emerge when an adult becomes too involved in a young person’s life.
Many survivors do not immediately recognise that what happened to them was wrong, particularly when the person involved was someone they trusted, admired or relied upon.
The storyline is still unfolding, and I will be interested to see how it develops over the coming months.
Help is available
If you have experienced abuse by someone in a position of trust, or would like to speak to somebody about your experiences, support is available. You do not need to have reported matters to the police to seek advice. At BBK, we understand how difficult it can be to talk about abuse and are here to listen in a safe, confidential and supportive environment.
If you’d like to speak to someone, David McClenaghan, Head of our Abuse Claims Team, has extensive experience of supporting survivors in cases of this nature and would be happy to discuss how we may be able to help. Please contact David directly or get in touch with our Abuse team.
