Two women from Married At First Sight UK alleged they were raped by their onscreen husbands during the course of the reality TV show, while a third contestant alleged a non-consensual sex act.
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Content warning: This story contains allegations of sexual assault.
Multiple reality TV contestants have come forward with serious allegations.
Two anonymous contestants from Married At First Sight UK told the BBC they were raped by their onscreen husbands, while a third contestant alleged a non-consensual sex act.
During the filming of the show—on which contestants don’t engage in a legally-binding marriage but agree to being filmed meeting their so-called husbands and beginning a relationship, including moving in together—the contestants each allege that misconduct took place with their partners.
Lawyers for the men accused of rape denied the allegations to the BBC, while the man accused of the non-consensual sex act challenged details of the victim’s claims when the outlet reached out.
None of the women have filed a report with police regarding their allegations, according to the BBC.
Since the allegations were made public, Channel 4, which airs the show, has removed the series from their streaming platforms and shared that an ongoing investigation continues to take place after the company was made aware of the “serious allegations of wrongdoing.”
“I want to express my sympathy to contributors who have clearly been distressed after taking part in Married at First Sight UK,” Channel 4’s chief executive Priya Dogra shared in a May 18 statement. “The wellbeing of our contributors is always of paramount importance.”
The media exec also responded to the alleged victims’ claims that the network could have done more to support them.
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“On the claims that Channel 4 may have failed in its duty of care,” Dogra continued, “I believe that when concerns about contributor welfare were raised, and based on the information available at the time, Channel 4 acted quickly, appropriately, sensitively and with wellbeing front and centre.”
In an effort to “strengthen contributor welfare,” though, she added that Channel 4 “commissioned an external review of contributor welfare on MAFS UK” last month.
“We take these issues very seriously,” Dogra concluded, “and are committed to ensuring that we continue to lead the industry in our duty of care for contributors.”
CPL, the production company behind Married at First Sight UK, described their contestant welfare system to the BBC as "gold standard" and explained their teams acted appropriately in all of the women’s cases.
For free, confidential help, call the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-4673 or visit rainn.org.