Yolande Trueman sexually assaulted in harrowing EastEnders storyline

EASTENDERS’ Yolande Trueman will be sexually assaulted in a harrowing new storyline.

The legendary character - who is played by actress Angela Wynter in the BBC soap - will be assaulted by Pastor Clayton next week.

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Having already been groped by the pervert, Yolande is on edge but put her instincts aside after he manipulated her by using the food bank fundraiser.

Next week on the day of the fundraiser, Yolande is stressed, and matters are made worse by barbed comments from Pastor Clayton’s wife, Stella. 

Later at No.20, Patrick isn’t impressed to find Yolande and Pastor Clayton alone – even though they are just picking up supplies. 

Yolande and Patrick end up having a furious row, and she tells him not to come to the event. 

But before the fundraiser, Yolande is alone in the kitchen at the Community Centre when Pastor Clayton comes to find her and sexually assaults her. 

After his attack, Yolande seeks solace at the Laundrette where she confides in Elaine.

EastEnders is working with charities End Violence Against Women Coalition and Hourglass on the storyline.

Few details of have been released yet, but as the storyline progresses, Yolande will struggle to come to terms with being assaulted by a man whom she believed she could trust as it impacts all aspects of her life, including her relationship with Patrick (Rudolph Walker).

The scenes will air in an hour-long special episode on Wednesday 17th April and will also include flashback accounts of women who have previously been sexually assaulted by Pastor Clayton as it becomes clear that this is not his first offence.

EastEnders has worked closely with experts in the field to ensure this story is portrayed as accurately and sensitively as possible.  

Chris Clenshaw, Executive Producer of EastEnders, said of the storyline: “This is an important story that we hope will raise awareness of how women at any age can be groomed by someone in a position of power. 

“It was vital for us to work alongside End Violence Against Women Coalition and Hourglass to truthfully present and sensitively portray Yolande’s sexual assault storyline.”   

Andrea Simon, Director of End Violence Against Women Coalition, said the organisation was “proud” to work with EastEnders on “this important storyline. 

Andrea added: “Sexual assault happens to women of all ages and backgrounds, but many find they aren’t believed or taken seriously.

"Older women, black women and others who are marginalised are at the sharp end of this, with huge consequences for their access to justice and support. 

“TV shows can play a huge role in shifting attitudes across society.

"We hope this storyline helps dispel myths and stereotypes about what victims and survivors look like and how perpetrators behave, and ultimately increases understanding of sexual assault.”   

Meanwhile, Veronica Gray, Deputy CEO and Director of Policy at Hourglass, a charity that works to prevent the abuse of older people, called this a “landmark” moment in TV history.

“EastEnders, shaping a storyline around the too-often hidden nightmare of sexual abuse of older people, finally brings this issue out of the shadows and into public consciousness.

"We hope this will start an important conversation in many households across the UK,” Veronica said.