'Game of Thrones’ Season 5 Sansa Stark’s rape scene inspired Sophie Turner to join charity group

Sophie Turner, who plays Sansa Stark in HBO’s popular fantasy drama series “Game of Thrones,” recently revealed that her controversial rape scene from season 5 inspired her to work with a charity group called Women for Women International, which helps women in need.

“I teamed up with this amazing charity called Women for Women International, which is about basically helping women rebuild their lives after all of the war crimes that happen against these women, one of them being rape and sexual assault,” the actress told The Wrap.

As part of the charity work, Turner also visited Rwanda to witness how the group helped victims from around the world. She said that the controversy pertaining to the rape scene inspired her to work for the cause.

The scene, in which Sansa is raped by her husband Ramsay Bolton (played by Iwan Rheon) on their wedding night, attracted heavy attention from media as well as audience.

Talking about the “Game of Thrones” season 5 Sansa Stark’s rape scene, Turner said that such a response was somewhat expected. “We kind of expected a bit of blowback and a bit of controversy. Rightly so. And it was quite a big reaction,” she said and added that it was “kind of annoying” at first.

Previously as well, Turner defended “Game of Thrones” Season 5 Sansa Stark’s rape scene by saying that it only reflected the reality. She said that the show does not shy away from portraying the reality of the medieval time. Furthermore, she asserted that the women were oppressed during those times and even now it still happens, particularly during wars and in arranged marriages.

“Why is there so much attention when it happens on television and not when it happens in the real world?” she said.