Emmerdale fans are expressing their anger and concern that Dr Caitlin Todd has escaped justice after her horrific sexual assault on Charity Dingle. The Woolpack landlady, portrayed by Emma Atkins since 2000, became entangled with the manipulative doctor, who is aware of the secrets surrounding baby Leyla.
Charity's Ordeal
Charity gave birth in April, claiming to be a surrogate for her granddaughter Sarah Sugden and husband Jacob. In reality, she had slept with Ross Barton and became pregnant with his child, leaving Sarah and Jacob unaware that the baby is not biologically theirs.
After blackmailing Charity, Todd took advantage of a drunken Charity and sexually assaulted her in scenes aired last week on the ITV soap. Charity reported the assault to the police, but Todd claimed it was consensual and promptly left the village for a new job.
Fan Reactions
In the latest episode, Charity appeared withdrawn, and her partner Mackenzie suspected post-natal depression. Todd only appeared in voiceovers as Charity relived her trauma. By the end, Charity told Mack she would get an appointment for his concerns, leaving fans worried Todd will never face justice.
On Reddit, one fan wrote: "Is that it?? Has she gone or will she come back sometime in the next few weeks? Not a fan of this storyline ending if that's the end and she gets away with the sexual abuse?"
Another commented: "I think once Charity does open up eventually people around her will give her support. If Todd has done this before, they'll be more and they'll come forward. I think that's when she gets justice."
A third viewer added: "Wouldn't surprise me, they're basically using rape as punishment to get redemption for Charity and Todd's job is done. But thank goodness we learned about workplace bullying - your boss is mentally ill, moves near you, blackmails then rapes your grandmother-in-law who recently birthed your baby and leaves. Truly, an experience we can all relate to."
Disturbing Scenes
When the drama unfolded, it appeared Charity and Todd had called a truce, but Todd leaned in to kiss Charity, who rejected her. Charity then drunkenly called Todd a "desperate, pathetic witch." As Charity fell asleep on the sofa, Todd coldly said: "Wake up. Drunk, disgusting w****! One too many? Bad, bad girl. You should know better... than to lose control."
Todd climbed on top of Charity as she slept, and Charity awoke in horror, begging her to get off. Todd simply got up, collected her things, and walked out.
Viewers took to social media to react. One wrote on X: "The SA scene in #Emmerdale is horrendous, please take care of yourselves, very difficult watch. Charity [crying emoji]. I can't post the clip it's so disturbing." Another said: "Did #emmerdale have a warning for tonight's episode? They should have done because that was grim."
However, others praised the soap for tackling the subject. One viewer wrote: "Tonight's #emmerdale is an extremely difficult watch but it was handled absolutely perfectly. Amazing performances from Emma Atkins & Caroline Harker and the directing of the end scene by Yvonne Wells & Haley Muraleedharan was outstanding. Please take care when watching."
Another added: "This storyline WILL help so many people. It doesn't matter the gender, SA happens. Let's open that conversation and get victims justice."
Emmerdale airs weeknights at 8pm on ITV1 and ITVX. If you've been a victim of sexual assault, help is available at www.rapecrisis.org.uk or by calling 0808 802 9999.
