Emmerdale spoilers follow.
This story discusses topics including rape and sexual assault.
Emmerdale's Lydia Dingle turns to Rhona Goskirk for support in emotional scenes in Monday's episode (October 16).
Lydia has a heart-to-heart with Rhona after her husband Sam sets the pair up to talk.
Last week, Lydia reported Craig Reed to the police for raping her after bravely confiding in her family about what had happened. Prior to this, Lydia had only spoken to her friend Kim Tate.
In Monday's episode, Sam remains unsure of how to behave around Lydia, especially when she turns down his offer of spending the day together.
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Lydia insists on focusing on cleaning responsibilities at home, leaving Sam feeling lost as she seems to be avoiding him.
The day gets worse when a police officer arrives at the cottage to update Lydia after Craig's arrest.
Lydia learns that Craig has been released pending further investigation, as there wasn't enough evidence to hold him for any longer.
Later, as Sam spends some time alone outside in the village, Rhona passes and he decides to invite her over.
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Although Sam respects Lydia's privacy, he pointedly suggests that the two women may want to talk.
Rhona, who was raped by her husband Pierce Harris in 2017, is supportive as Lydia shares details of her recent ordeal.
Emmerdale bosses had always said that other survivors of rape in the village would ultimately play a role in Lydia's storyline.
Speaking last month, Emmerdale's producer Laura Shaw told Digital Spy and other media: "There are other people in the show that have also been through something similar.
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"Rhona is going to be really important to Lydia. She had a very different outcome and her support will prove to be invaluable to Lydia."
Shaw added: "We do have other survivors of rape who live in our village. I think some people might say: 'This is something that soap has done before'.
"But when you look at the statistics – one in four women being raped or sexually assaulted, five out of six rapes happen by someone that the person knows – it makes you realise just how prevalent it is and just how important it is that we keep talking about it.
"As we go forward, Rhona will be somebody who will be really important for Lydia, and certainly we will be addressing the previous stories."
Check out more of our Emmerdale coverage:
- Emmerdale boss teases Aaron Dingle's "dark" return storyline
- Emmerdale lines up tension for Caleb Miligan and Amit Sharma
- Emmerdale hints at Sam Dingle revenge on Craig in Lydia story
- Emmerdale star Brahmdeo Shannon Ramana reveals fallout from Suni's life-changing discovery
- Emmerdale newcomer Anil Goutam reveals dark side to Jai and Suni's father Amit
- Emmerdale star Emma Atkins responds to Charity baby fan theory
- Emmerdale confirms special episodes for huge Dingle family storyline
- Emmerdale teases change in Christmas episodes and plans for 2024
- Emmerdale warns of "huge shock" in new baby storyline
Emmerdale airs on weeknights at 7.30pm on ITV1, and streams on ITVX.
Read more Emmerdale spoilers on our dedicated homepage
If you would like more information on real-life issues behind Lydia's storyline in Emmerdale, the soap is working with Rape Crisis — which offers a Sexual Abuse Support Line on 0808 500 2222 24 hours a day, or online at 247sexualabusesupport.org.uk. Rape Crisis Scotland's helpline number is 08088 01 03 02.
Readers in the US are encouraged to contact RAINN, or the National Sexual Assault Hotline on 800-656-4673.
