By Alasdair Glennie and Rosie Taylor PUBLISHED: 17:42 EST, 7 October 2013 | UPDATED: 09:20 EST, 8 October 2013 Lady Carnarvon said she would 'prefer to watch nice things on a Sunday night' Downton Abbey was accused yesterday of using a sickening rape as a gratuitous plot device to liven up the ITV drama’s script. A controversial scene on Sunday night in which a housemaid was subjected to a brutal assault by a valet sparked nearly 100 complaints from disgusted viewers. Domestic violence campaigners said the show’s creator Julian Fellowes had depicted rape in an obscene and irresponsible manner.
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Domestic violence campaigners accused show of being irresponsible
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They said any victims of sexual assault could have been traumatised after watching scene
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During the episode servant Anna Bates was beaten and raped by valet Mr Green played by former Eastenders actor Nigel Harman
‘I imagine that @placeholder [Fellowes] is exploring with different storylines and darker themes.