Women’s Aid has criticised ITV’s Big Brother after an argument between housemates Omar and Rhianna, saying the show risks presenting abuse as a form of entertainment.
The charity spoke out after Monday’s episode, in which Omar, 21, swore and shouted at Rhianna, also 21, during a row that ended their relationship.
Charity warns of ‘red flag’ behaviours
Veronica Oakeshott, the charity’s head of external affairs, told Metro: “The nature of abuse means that it often begins with ‘red flag’ coercive and controlling behaviours like isolating you from friends or repeatedly putting you down, before escalating into other forms of abuse.”
She added: “Coercive control creates invisible chains and a sense of fear that impacts every element of a survivor’s life.”
Oakeshott said the charity had been contacted by viewers concerned about the episode. “It’s worrying to see behaviours like this being given a platform in popular media like Big Brother,” she said.
Call for producers to act
She said the show risked minimising survivors’ experiences and presenting abuse as entertainment, urging producers to understand their responsibility to keep contestants safe.
“The women in these programmes are real people and need real support,” she said, and called on TV companies like ITV to engage with domestic abuse experts to protect contestants.
Fans called for Omar to be removed from the house after he shouted at Rhianna and then acted coldly towards her. When she ended things, he replied: “You’ve really f***ed me off by saying what you said.”
ITV responds
During a later conversation, he told her “look at me, don’t look away from me” as she covered her head with her hands. Big Brother then asked Rhianna to go to the diary room, where her welfare was checked.
ITV confirmed that all contestants receive respect and inclusion training and extensive briefing from the show’s senior team. A spokesperson said: “Housemates are monitored 24 hours a day and any instances of inappropriate behaviour are responded to appropriately.”
Metro has contacted ITV for further comment on Women’s Aid’s statement.
