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EASTENDERS' harrowing Ben Mitchell rape scene prompted 353 complaints to the BBC.

The hard-to-watch episode has become the soap's second most complained about moment of the past decade.

Ben Mitchell's rape scene has sparked complaints
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Ben Mitchell's rape scene has sparked complaintsCredit: BBC
Barman Lewis Butler carried out the grim attack
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Barman Lewis Butler carried out the grim attackCredit: BBC

Only an anti-vaccination storyline from March involving Karen Taylor has racked up more.

Some 684 people wrote in after she said of the Covid jabs: "You must admit, they pushed it through too quick. Lab rats that’s what we are. I’m not having any of that rubbish pumped into me.

"Who knows what it’s going to do to us in five, 10 years time.”

Last month viewers broke down in tears when Ben was sexually assaulted by bartender Lewis Butler.

READ MORE ON EASTENDERS

The episode began with Ben facing cop husband Callum Highway's (Tony Clay) wrath after he found out Ben had told Lewis about his secret vigilante actions.

He had been seeking out homophobes and brutally assaulting them as revenge for a previous homophobic attack he suffered.

The pair shared some difficult words and parted ways with their relationship hanging in the balance.

Ben went to the Queen Vic to drown his sorrows, and in the process fired up a dating app.

After a few messages with Lewis, they met for drinks at The Prince Albert pub and eventually took things upstairs.

Ben then had second thoughts after seeing a selfie message from Callum and daughter Lexi.

He decided to leave, calling time on the date, but Lewis refused to listen.

Despite Ben telling him to stop, Lewis refused and raped Ben in horrifying scenes.

WHERE TO GET HELP

Whenever it happened to you, it’s never too late to get support.

If you’ve ever experienced sexual violence or sexual abuse, you can get confidential support from specialists who will listen to you, believe you and understand how hard it is to talk about.

As a victim, you’re entitled to support whether you report the crime or not. Your rights are set out in full in the Victims’ Code. 

Visit to see the support on offer.

Max Bowden said the ordeal was a very dark times for his on-screen character
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Max Bowden said the ordeal was a very dark times for his on-screen characterCredit: BBC

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