A current Coronation Street storyline about the rape of a woman by her jilted fiance has promoted an 800 per cent increase in calls to Rape Crisis.

The storyline, involving factory boss Carla Connor, is tackling an issue, which, for some women, is a devastating reality.

One in four women have experienced rape or attempted rape. The hope is that, by raising the profile of cases in TV dramas such as Coronation Street, more women will be encouraged to come forward and report rape.

The soap has been praised for its sensitive handling of the issue, which resulted in a record number of calls to Rape Crisis, a national helpline for survivors, which has a centre in Bradford.

Such was the surge in demand after scenes depicting Carla Connor’s ordeal, the helpline had to draft in extra volunteers to deal with the volume of calls.

Ten million viewers saw the violent attack occur after Carla, played by Alison King, called off her wedding to business partner and fiance Frank Foster, played by Andrew Lancel.

Frank’s not guilty plea will no doubt lead to a gripping courtroom drama. Viewers have already seen the businessman attack Carla’s friend, Maria Connor, but due to lack of evidence no further action was taken.

In another scene shown this week, Rover’s Return landlady Stella Price, played by Michelle Collins, confided to Carla that she too had been raped in the past, but had never told anyone.

Rosa Knight, helpline co-ordinator at Rape Crisis, praised the programme-makers for their accuracy.

“Though other programmes have run similar storylines, the response for the Coronation Street storyline has been like nothing we’ve experienced before,” she said. “It is so important for mainstream shows to tackle these important issues in a well-researched way, and it appears the programme-makers worked hard to do that.

“That we have had such a huge increase in calls demonstrates that women who have survived rape do need care and support - but they are not always aware of how to get it. We urge women who cannot get through not to give up. We will work our hardest to ensure your call for support is answered.”

Statistics show that women are most likely to suffer rape at the hands of somebody they know. Earlier this week, actor Andrew Lancel, who plays Frank, said producers “did their homework” to make sure the storyline was as realistic as possible.

A Coronation Street spokesman says: “If this story has helped even one woman to report something that has happened to her, then obviously that is a good thing.”

She explained that when it had been decided to do the story, producers worked closely with a sexual assault referral centre in Manchester to get the detail right and portray the aftermath correctly.

Detective Inspector Mark Gaunt of Operation Topaz, West Yorkshire Police’s dedicated rape investigation unit, said:“West Yorkshire Police are committed to the care of victims, the prosecution of offenders and the protection of the public.

“We work with our partners to ensure that we can provide the best possible support, which means victims can feel confident when coming forward, and I welcome any publicity which highlights the huge impact sexual crime has on victims over long periods of time.

“I would encourage any victim to seek assistance on 0845 6060606, or 999 in an emergency.

“We also recognise that victims do not always want the police to become involved, for various reasons, and in all cases we recommend that additional advice and help can be sought from Surviving Trauma After Rape (STAR) on (01924) 298954.”

Rape Crisis (England and Wales) is a registered charity, and the national umbrella organisation for Rape Crisis Centres across the country.

Bradford Rape Crisis and Sexual Abuse Survivors Service launched in 1981. It provides information, counselling and support to women in Bradford who have experienced any form of sexual violence either recently or in the past.

From April 2010 to March 2011, the service had contact with 685 individual survivors. They had 10,007 separate contacts involving 3,019 hours of support.

The charity campaigns to highlight the importance and need for appropriate, high-quality and specialised support.

Rape Crisis centres provide crucial crisis and long-term counselling, support and advocacy for women and girls of all ages who have experienced any form of sexual violence. Centres are community-based, and independent of Government and the criminal justice system.

The national Rape Crisis helpline is on 0808 802 9999. Lines are open from noon until 2.30pm and 7pm to 9.30pm every day. Support is also offered online at rapecrisis.org.uk.