Former contestants on Australia's Married at First Sight (MAFS) have raised serious concerns about participant safety, following allegations of rape and sexual assault on the UK version of the show. Australian cast members describe an environment of 'control, manipulation and isolation' that they say puts participants at risk.
A former participant, speaking anonymously, claimed men with criminal or domestic violence backgrounds are cast regularly. She alleged that on her season, women experienced physical violence, assault, and non-consensual touching. 'Every night you are left alone in a room with this man... There are no cameras rolling. You are isolated,' she said.
In 2025, MAFS Australia faced scrutiny when it emerged that groom Adrian Araouzou had historical domestic abuse charges, which were dismissed before filming. Bride Awhina Rutene said the show 'obviously needed a better vetting process' and described the environment as a 'pressure cooker' where physical intimacy is forced.
Another season 12 bride, Sierah Swepstone, posted on Instagram that the show's environment is 'characterised by control, manipulation, isolation... gaslighting, psychological dependency, triggers and deprivation of autonomy.' She said this impairs a person's ability to enforce boundaries or leave.
Former contestant Olivia Rutherford said she does not believe the show can be made safely. The anonymous participant suggested a solution: 'Cameras rolling at all times. No private unsupervised access. If MAFS genuinely cared about participant safety, that structure would already be in place.'
