Some viewers said Rochdale abuse drama Three Girls shouldn't have been on TV, others believed it should be shown in schools
Viewers watching BBC1 drama Three Girls, about the Rochdale abuse scandal, have said they had to switch off because it was too disturbing while others heaped praise on the show and said it should be shown in schools.
Three Girls tells the true story of widespread grooming and sexual assault of girls and young women in Rochdale by a gang of Asian men, which was revealed in 2012.
A new three-part drama based on the true stories of victims of grooming and sexual abuse in Rochdale.#ThreeGirls. Starts tomorrow. 9pm. pic.twitter.com/i1VEMTJqE4
— BBC One (@BBCOne) May 15, 2017
The three-part drama stars Maxine Peake as the scandal’s whistleblower and sexual health worker Sara Rowbotham.
The first episode showed the teenage girls being beaten and raped and some viewers said they found it too hard to watch.
Have had to stop watching – it's too disgraceful awful terrible and still happening somewhere #threegirls
— Kirsten Barger (@kirstenbarger) May 16, 2017
#threegirls is such a hard watch 😢 I had to switch off
— Leanne Jackman (@Leanney21) May 16, 2017
#threegirls absolutely grim, this should not be on tv, had to switch off 😢
— Sarah (@Sarah__Rarah) May 16, 2017
Really struggling to watch #threegirls. I just cannot comprehend how those young, vulnerable girls were continually failed.
— Dawn Ferguson (@DawnFergie1810) May 16, 2017
But other viewers said it was important the programme was seen.
#threegirls a shocking story of abuse that's difficult to watch but needs to be seen. #maxinepeake excellent acting as always @BBCOne
— Lynn Kelly (@LynnKellyWigan) May 16, 2017
#ThreeGirls most uncomfortable, pit of stomach sickening TV I've watched in a long time. Amazing performances 👌🏻😔
— Abbie (@_AbbieAndrews) May 16, 2017
#threegirls is one of the most difficult things I've ever watched. But the information needs to be out there
— 👑Maria (@marialouisaa_) May 16, 2017
Well. Hats off to the BBC. Rotherham CSE abuse scandal excellently portrayed. #threegirls Esp if you're a parent, a MUST watch. #CSE
— Michelle 👸🏻 (@SeeingRainbows_) May 16, 2017
Penny Sutherland was among those calling for the programme to be shown to young people.
#threegirls this needs to be incorporated into the school curriculum to stop it happening to more young girls.
— Penny Sutherland (@SutherlandPenny) May 16, 2017
This programme should be shown in every school in the country #threegirls
— Steve (@stevearimmer) May 16, 2017
This programme should be shown in every school in the country #threegirls
— Steve (@stevearimmer) May 16, 2017
Three Girls continues on BBC1 on Wednesday night.