Former contestants of the Australian version of Married at First Sight (Mafs) have spoken out about the show's safety, citing control, manipulation, and isolation. This follows serious allegations of rape and sexual assault against the UK franchise, which is produced by a different company.
Since its debut in 2015, Mafs Australia has become the country's most-watched reality TV program, reaching over 16 million viewers this year. However, it has faced numerous complaints, with the Australian Communications and Media Authority conducting ten investigations and receiving 39 complaints. The most recent probes in 2025 examined allegations of domestic violence themes and incorrect classification, but no breaches were found.
Participants have raised concerns about the vetting process. In the 2025 season, Awhina Rutene was matched with Adrian Araouzou, who had historical domestic abuse charges that were dismissed before filming. Rutene said the show needed a better vetting process, describing the environment as a 'pressure cooker' where physical intimacy is forced. Another bride, Sierah Swepstone, wrote on Instagram that the show's environment is characterised by 'control, manipulation, isolation ... gaslighting, psychological dependency, triggers and deprivation of autonomy'.
A former participant, speaking anonymously, claimed that men with criminal or domestic violence backgrounds are cast regularly, and that women on her season experienced physical violence and non-consensual touching. She said the powerlessness is heightened because contestants sign away rights to a bad edit. She suggested that the show should adopt a format like Love Island, with cameras rolling at all times and no private unsupervised access.
Olivia Rutherford, a contestant from season nine, said she does not believe the show can be made safely. The revelations come as the UK franchise faces its own crisis, with former participants calling for a broader reckoning on how reality TV may mainstream dangerous stereotypes and subject participants to harmful situations.
