Former contestants of Australia's Married at First Sight (MAFS) have come forward with allegations that the reality programme fosters an environment of 'control, manipulation and isolation', raising fresh concerns about participant safety. The claims follow serious allegations of rape and sexual assault against the UK version of the show, which is produced by a different company.
The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has conducted 10 investigations into MAFS and received 39 complaints, with the most recent inquiries in 2025 focusing on whether the show included themes of domestic violence and coercive control. No breaches of the code of practice have been found, but critics argue the vetting process is inadequate.
In the 2026 season, a couple was removed before airing after historical domestic violence allegations emerged. The previous season, bride Awhina Rutene was matched with Adrian Araouzou, who had faced domestic abuse charges that were later dismissed. Rutene said the show 'obviously needed a better vetting process' and described the environment as a 'pressure cooker' where physical intimacy was rewarded.
Another anonymous former participant alleged that men with criminal or domestic violence backgrounds are cast regularly. 'Every night you are left alone in a room with this man… There are no cameras rolling. You are isolated,' she said, adding that women on her season experienced physical violence and non-consensual touching.
Former contestant Olivia Rutherford, who appeared in 2022, said she does not believe the show can be made safely. Some participants have called for a production model similar to Love Island, with cameras rolling at all times to ensure no unsupervised access, a structure they argue would better protect contestants.
