They were once a happy couple, but Yasmeen Nazir (Shelley King) and Geoff Metcalfe (Ian Bartholomew) are set to face new tribulations in Coronation Street, as their relationship deteriorates further due to Geoffs manipulative behaviour.
With her troubled marriage to Sharif (Marc Anwar) in her rear-view mirror, it seemed as if Yasmeen had finally found her slice of happiness in Geoff. After having to contend with Audrey Roberts (Sue Nicholls) over the radio DJs affections, Yasmeen was able to admit to him how she felt — and he reciprocated those romantic feelings. The pair subsequently made a proper go of things.
Flash forward a year, and the loving couples relationship is a shell of its former self — and its set to get even worse in the coming episodes.
Coronation Street is to explore the disturbing effects of coercive control relationships in the upcoming storyline.
In the coming weeks and months Geoff will escalate his controlling behaviour, even staging a robbery so he can be seen to protect Yasmeen, taking over her bank account and isolating her from friends and family. He will set up CCTV equipment in order to watch her every move at the house.
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As is often the case Yasmeen is unaware she is being controlled, and despite some concerns from Alya, Geoff is able to deceive those closest to her. Since 2015 this form of abuse has been classed as a criminal offence and underpins 95% of all abusive relationships.
Coronation Street producer Iain Macleod said: Its common for people to think abusive behaviour has to be physical – but you can damage someone profoundly without laying a finger on them. Many thousands of people feel trapped in relationships with someone who claims to love them but who is actually taking them apart piece by piece, isolating them from friends and family and locking them in an invisible prison of fear and insecurity. Often, the abusive behaviours accumulate and intensify over time so that you dont realise its happening – its an insidious type of brainwashing.
I hope this story will help anyone going through similar experiences in the real world by highlighting that feeling undermined, belittled, controlled or intimidated by your partner is never okay. The old “sticks and stones” adage is just plain wrong – words can be instruments of torture and manipulation.
Coronation Street have worked closely with two organisations on this storyline – Womens Aid and Independent Choices Greater Manchester. Teresa Parker, Head of Media Relations & Communications at Womens Aid, said: We were pleased to be able to work with the scriptwriters and advise on the development of the coercive control storyline. This form of abuse was only established as a criminal offence in 2015 after years of campaigning, and it is important that we increase awareness and understanding of this form of domestic abuse.
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Many people think that unless there is physical abuse, it doesnt count. Coercive control underpins almost all abusive relationships, and Geoff has established himself at the centre of Yasmeens life, and manipulated her in so many ways, controlling what she can and cant do. She is doubting her own judgement and memories. Gradually we are seeing the long term effects of living with an abusive partner, as she sees less of her family and friends and becomes increasingly isolated.
This week, Geoff reveals that hes planning on having Sally (Sally Dynevor) and Tim (Joe Duttine) round for tea, and was hoping Yasmeen would take the night off to attend the meal. Yasmeen has wine tasting plans with Cathy (Melanie Hill) — but promises shell make it back in time for dinner. Regardless of her promises, Geoff Read More – Source
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