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EastEnders confirms arrest for Ben's rapist

The following article contains discussion of sexual assault that some readers may find upsetting.

EastEnders spoilers follow.

EastEnders has confirmed an arrest for Ben Mitchell's rapist Lewis Butler.

The soap aired a brief update on the storyline in Monday's episode as a twist of Lola Pearce trying to get Ben and Callum Highway back together.

Photo credit: BBC
Photo credit: BBC

Lola got the two, along with Jay Brown, to help Vi Highway move house, allowing Ben and Callum to have a moment together to talk about where they stand since their split.

"Your nan reckons you still love me. Do you?" Ben asked his estranged husband.

Callum hesitated before telling Ben: "Maybe if I lived somewhere else, then probably not. But seeing you around all the time, I can't just switch off my feelings like you can."

The two agreed they'll always have love for each other, but before they could get too deep, Ben's SOIT officer showed up with some very important news.

"Lewis Butler has been arrested," he was told.

Photo credit: BBC
Photo credit: BBC

Lewis was maintaining "it was consensual", so Callum jumped to comfort a frustrated Ben by reminding him that although this would be a "long and tough process", at least Lewis is in the system now.

Upon his exit earlier this year, Aidan O'Callaghan shared some insight on why Lewis refuses to accept any responsibility for assaulting Ben.

"A lot of what he is doing in order to avoid this feeling is calling out Ben's flaws such as being the Walford attacker and he is deflecting all these uncomfortable emotions onto him. This experience in the warehouse ultimately forces him to explore that and what he has done," the actor explained.

"He is then absolutely overwhelmed with sadness, remorse and regret for a moment. It really all comes back to that feeling of shame."

Photo credit: Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron - BBC
Photo credit: Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron - BBC

EastEnders airs on Mondays - Thursdays at 7.30pm on BBC One. The show also streams on BBC iPlayer.

Read more EastEnders spoilers on our dedicated homepage

If you've been affected by the issues raised in this story, you can access more information from Rape Crisis England and Wales, who work towards the elimination of all forms of sexual violence and sexual misconduct, on their website or by calling the National Rape Crisis Helpline on 0808 802 9999. 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.

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