The controversial Archers domestic abuse storyline involving Helen Titchener and husband Rob reached its climax on BBC Radio 4 on Sunday.Listeners heard Helen (Louiza Patikas) stab her husband Rob (Timothy Watson) in front of her young son Henry.The storyline has been building up for the best part of two years, with Rob’s behaviour escalating from controlling emotional abuse to physical harm.The long-running soap began trending on Twitter after the episode aired.Many listeners backed Helen’s actions, tweeting their shock and sympathy for Helen’s plight.
The Archers storyline has been hugely helpful in highlighting the subtle and extremely damaging psychological abuse that many victims suffer, with this subsequently escalating into physical violence in Helen’s case. Hopefully the programme will help more victims identify the ‘warning signals’ early on and encourage them to seek help from outside professionals at the first opportunity.
