Two leading charities have welcomed Channel 4's decision to axe Married At First Sight UK but have called on broadcasters to do more to protect reality TV contestants.
Refuge and Women's Aid, which both support women and children experiencing domestic violence, responded after Channel 4 scrapped the reality show. The move follows the release of findings from a review into serious allegations of wrongdoing, which found the programme 'put pressure on contributors to be intimate' and cited some participants 'lost touch with reality' during the intense experiment.
Review prompted by Panorama investigation
The external review was prompted by a BBC Panorama investigation, which included allegations of rape on the programme. Channel 4 confirmed that a UK Series 6, which was already filmed but not aired when the Panorama investigation went out, will now never be broadcast.
In a statement, Channel 4 said their Chief Executive Priya Dogra welcomed the review and its recommendations. The press release added: "The wholesale implementation of the review's recommendations, whilst feasible, would entail a materially greater level of intervention, monitoring and supervision that would fundamentally alter the format and editorial proposition of the programme."
Refuge calls for safety prioritised
In a statement to The Mirror, Refuge CEO Gemma Sherrington said: "Refuge welcomes Channel 4's decision to withdraw Married at First Sight following reports of sexual assault and rape from former contestants. We hope it sets a precedent for reality television producers to prioritise contestants' safety while actively challenging harmful behaviours."
Sherrington added: "Television shows featuring real relationships aren't simply a mode of entertainment – they shape cultural norms and influence millions of people. When unhealthy behaviours, including coercive control and domestic abuse, are given a public platform, it enables misogyny and abuse to persist, while putting contestants and viewers at serious risk of harm."
She continued: "In the past year alone, multiple reality programmes have featured participants displaying abusive behaviours. This deeply concerning pattern cannot become normalised. While the decision to cancel Married at First Sight is a step in the right direction, all media outlets have a responsibility to prioritise participant welfare and to ensure that harmful behaviour is identified and addressed appropriately."
Sherrington concluded: "Every survivor deserves to be heard, believed, and protected – both on television and in their everyday lives. Refuge stands in solidarity with all survivors of domestic abuse and calls on all broadcasters, producers and media organisations to use their platforms responsibly, placing safety, dignity and accountability at the heart of their decision-making."
Women's Aid echoes concerns
The sentiment was echoed by Women's Aid, who said they "welcomed" the decision but added that "today's decision does not undo the harm that came to the women involved".
Veronica Oakeshott, Head of External Affairs at Women's Aid, said: "We welcome today's decision for Channel 4 to cancel Married at First Sight, following the BBC's Panorama investigation earlier this year. Women's Aid has spoken publicly and consistently about the concerns that programmes like MAFS raise and the multiple incidents where women have subjected to abuse and manipulation on these shows."
Oakeshott added: "It is vital that we remember that women who take part in reality TV programmes are real women and that their safety cannot be disregarded for the sake of entertainment. It is also important that TV producers send the right message to viewers, that abuse is not acceptable. We have seen too many instances where the opposite has happened and abuse has been platformed on our screens, sending a problematic message to audiences."
She concluded: "Today's decision is a good one but does not undo the harm that came to the women involved and who bravely spoke out. MAFS is also not the only programme that has raised public concern and we urge other production and TV companies to speak to experts like Women's Aid to ensure they're keeping contestants safe."
