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That 'Sex Education' Assault Scene Is Based On The Writer's Own Experience

That 'Sex Education' Assault Scene Is Based On The Writer's Own Experience

The scene is a powerful reminder that “everyday assault” needs a bigger place in film and TV.

Mary-Jane Wiltsher

Mary-Jane Wiltsher

From smart writing to timely topics, we've come to expect great things from Sex Education.

Season 2's recent storyline of Aimee's sexual assault on a bus is a good case in point. Authentically acted and scripted, the scene is a powerful reminder that the grim reality of 'everyday assault' need a bigger place in film and TV.

Now show writer Laurie Nunn has opened up on the inspiration behind the powerful scenes, telling The Times that the storyline is actually based on her own experiences.

Talking about the incident, Laurie described how a "threatening man" approached her on a bus and exposed himself.

The stranger cornered Laurie, trapping her by placing his bag on her feet.

"I froze in that moment, then ran off the bus and burst into tears," said the screenwriter. "I did report it later, but for ages, I couldn't go on public transport, I was too frightened."

Explaining the importance of Aimee's bus scene, Laurie added that she wrote it because we need to be having a wider public conversation around 'everyday assault' and the impact it makes on lives - particularly for women and girls.

"This situation is a truth all women know," continued Laurie. "We live with this constant possibility of threat, it is exhausting."

Aimee Lou Wood, who plays Aimee, has spoken out about her own experience of sexual assault on public transport (
Netflix)

"A conversation needs to be had around how people can step in and help," she went on.

The original scene shows Aimee Gibbs (played by Aimee Lou Wood) standing on a packed bus, excitedly heading to school with a birthday cake for best pal Maeve (Emma Mackey), when a stranger approaches behind her.

Suddenly, Aimee realises a man is masturbating on her leg. She yells out for help but her fellow travellers are too awkward or unaware to assist.

Telling the driver to stop, Aimee rushes off the bus to find her jeans are stained with semen.

Maeve tells Aimee to report the incident to the police immediately (
Netflix)

With TFL stating that 90 per cent of unwanted sexual behaviour on London transport goes unreported, and sexual health charity Brook finding that more than half of UK students have faced unwanted sexual behaviour, the scene is rooted in all-too-real statistics.

And as is the case for many of victims of assault, the incident affects Aimee far more than she lets on.

Kind, straight-talking Maeve comforts Aimee and tells her to report the incident to the police immediately.

But as days go by, terrified Aimee begins walking to school every day to avoid the bus, and begins to have visions of a strange man wherever she goes.

The incident takes its toll on her relationship too. Before long, Aimee is refusing to let her boyfriend (Chris Jenks) touch her.

In a show of female strength and friendship the girls travel to school with Aimee (
Netflix)

Things come to a head in the seventh episode, when Aimee reaches breaking point during detention with the girls, and confesses how much she's struggling.

Cut to one of the most moving scenes in the series to date, where all the girls rally together and meet Aimee at the bus stop to travel to school with her, in a show of female strength and friendship.

The storyline has special resonance for actress Aimee Lou Wood, who has shared own experience of assault, too.

In an interview with The Times, the star describes how she was followed on a train "by a man masturbating in his pocket".

"Aimee feels ashamed - as if smiling at that man makes it her fault," she said. "You can replay it all in your head and wonder if you were being flirtatious if you smiled, if you caused it to happen.

"I just want young women to know they can call it out there and then, they can report it and be believed.

TFL state that 90% of unwanted sexual behaviour on London transport goes unreported (
Netflix)

"We need to be allowed to feel angry and not to have the mentality of 'I don't want to cause a scene', which is my character's initial reaction."

On the subject of tackling unwanted sexual behaviour on public transport, TFL advise: "Unwanted sexual behaviour is anything that makes you feel uncomfortable.

"You can report anything of a sexual nature, including rubbing, groping, masturbation, leering, sexual comments, indecent acts, or someone taking photos of you of a sexual nature without your consent.

"You don't have to prove that it was a criminal offence or intentional to report it, we can investigate that for you."

If you have experienced an assault on Transport for London, you can text what, where and when to 61016 or call 101. You'll get a reply within 24 hours and your assigned officer will be there to take you through the process.

Featured Image Credit: Netflix

Topics: TV News, Sex Education, TV Entertainment